Question: That throat thing - hyoid apparatus?

[Molch]

I have an anatomical question: that thingy in their throat they stick out sometimes - is that called the hyoid apparatus? Is it made of cartilage? Do all caudates have it, and what is its function?
I noticed my firebellies do not have one as pronounced as the alpines in the pic.

Also, these alpines sometimes "yawn" - open their mouths wide and then close it again. What's the function of that? Also something I don't see much in the fire bellies.

 

[Azhael]

I may well be mistaken but i think the hyoid is only part of that cartilage. In larval and neotenic animals, it helps with the aperture of the branquial slits, and i think in adults it varies from being a simple helping element for deglution to a more sophiscated system to "shoot" out the tongue.
I hope someone else can be more specific, i´m actually confused as to which particular bone is actually the hyoid in caudates.

The yawning is perfectly normal in all species, and it may happen with increased frequency after feeding and during a shed.