| INTRODUCTION A controversial point in the understanding of the feeding mechanism of viperid snakes is the use of the poison fang in the swallowing mechanism. Some authors believe that the poison fang takes an active part in the swallowing act, although the majority supports the view that the fang is, at least partly, held down (Klauber, 1956). Which kind of construction in the jaws is responsible for the difference between the actions of the fang in striking and swallowing again is a matter of dispute. The pterygoid-ectopterygoid joint, which by most authors (Kathariner, 1900; Willson, 1908; Haas, 1931; Klauber, 1939, 1956) is considered stiff or immovable, may play a crucial role. There is also some disagreement on the strike being either a stab (Van... |
