Jawless Fishes:
1. Oral Suction: Jawless fishes, such as lampreys and hagfish, lack jaws and instead have a circular, sucker-like mouth. They attach to their prey, typically other fish, using this specialized mouth and create suction to extract body fluids and tissues.
2. Parasitic Feeding: Some jawless fishes, like the lamprey, adopt a parasitic lifestyle and attach themselves to a host fish to feed on its blood and body fluids. They secrete an anticoagulant to prevent blood clotting and use their rasping tongue to penetrate the host's skin.
Cartilaginous Fishes:
1. Specialized Jaws: Cartilaginous fishes possess jaws that allow them to grasp and bite their prey. Their jaws are supported by cartilage instead of bone, making them lightweight and flexible.
2. Predatory Behavior: Cartilaginous fishes, including sharks, rays, and skates, are renowned for their predatory behavior. They actively hunt and capture smaller fish, invertebrates, and other marine life using their sharp teeth.
3. Different Tooth Adaptations: Cartilaginous fishes exhibit diverse tooth adaptations depending on their diet. Some species, like sharks, have multiple rows of serrated teeth to grip and tear prey, while others have more specialized crushing or grinding teeth, suitable for feeding on different prey types.
In summary, jawless fishes rely on oral suction and, in some cases, parasitic feeding strategies to obtain nourishment. Cartilaginous fishes, on the other hand, utilize specialized jaws and a variety of teeth adaptations to capture and consume their prey, enabling them to thrive as predators in various marine ecosystems.