Therefore these plates are usually called gizzard plates.
Henk
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 3:14 PM
Subject: Re: Auxillary plates in Scaphander: Why?
> Scaphandridae (or Cylichnidae if you prefer) are predators which engulf
> rather large shelled prey whole. The auxilliary plates, together with
> associated muscles, constitute a crushing mechanism for the prey.
>
> Paul M.
>