basibranchial

“Basihyal teeth” probably refers to what we now call basibranchial teeth.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

“Basihyal teeth” probably refers to what we now call basibranchial teeth.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

“Basihyal teeth” probably refers to what we now call basibranchial teeth.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

“Basihyal teeth” probably refers to what we now call basibranchial teeth.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

In pure populations of cutthroat trout, at least 90 percent of specimens have basibranchial teeth—minute teeth that exist in the base of the throat between the gill arches and are not readily detected by the naked eye.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

In rainbow trout, the occurrence of basibranchial teeth is sporadic; when these teeth are present in a population of rainbow trout, it is extremely rare to find them in more than 10 percent of specimens.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

Lake trout have well-developed basibranchial teeth, located on the floor of the pharynx between the gill arches.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

Thus the presence or absence of basibranchial teeth is not an absolute trait for distinguishing all cutthroat trout from all rainbow trout.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

Bones of the skull are used in taxonomy, and one of the most important is the basibranchial plate.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002

These basibranchial teeth are present in species such as cutthroat trout and char, but absent in other salmonid species, including all Pacific salmon.

Trout and Salmon of North America Robert J. Behnke 2002