Volume 213 Issue 9, 10 November 2012
WILDLIFE SERIES: AFRICAN PENGUIN
The cover images in volume 213 of the journal all feature mouths and teeth from different members of the animal kingdom. An open-mouthed African penguin appears on this issue of the journal. This image clearly shows the penguins rearward-pointing, tooth-like barbs, found on both the tongue and roof of the mouth. These are not used for chewing, but instead assist in the swallowing of their slipperyprey. In penguins, as in all other birds, the genes expressing teeth are quiescent. Penguin chicks do have an egg tooth; however, this is not a real tooth, but rather a sharp bump on the top surface of the bill which is used to break the egg when hatching.
Photograph by Sharif Islam
Editorial
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