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This is an x-ray image of a moray eel along with a corresponding photograph of the specimen in identical pose. Moray eels are legendary predators on coral reefs. Note the second set of jaws in the “throat”; these are the gill arches, which are present in all fish. Gill arches support the gills, the major respiratory organ of fish.

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  • Title: Viper Moray
  • Location: Swains Island, reef., American Samoa, Pacific
  • Physical Dimensions: 71 cm (28 in)
  • Type: Radiograph
  • Rights: This image was obtained from the Smithsonian Institution. The image or its contents may be protected by international copyright laws. http://www.si.edu/termsofuse
  • External Link: View this object record in the Smithsonian Institution Collections Search Center
  • USNM Catalog Number(s): 116076
  • Scientific Name: <i>Enchelynassa canina</i>
  • Photo Credit: Sandra J. Raredon, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
  • Field: Vertebrate Zoology
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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