Chondrichthyes

E85554

Chondrichthyes is a class of cartilaginous fishes, including sharks, rays, and skates, characterized by skeletons made primarily of cartilage rather than bone.


Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf group of cartilaginous fishes
taxonomic class
bodyCovering dermal denticles
circulatorySystem closed circulatory system
commonName cartilaginous fishes
ecologicalRole mesopredators in marine ecosystems
top predators in marine ecosystems
fertilizationType internal fertilization
firstAppearance Devonian period
habitat marine environments
some freshwater environments
hasCharacteristic cartilaginous endoskeleton
cartilaginous vertebral column
electroreception via ampullae of Lorenzini in many species
heterocercal tail in many species
internal fertilization
lack of swim bladder
oily liver for buoyancy
placoid scales
spiral valve intestine
well-developed olfactory organs
hasEconomicImportance commercial fisheries
ecotourism
recreational fisheries
hasSubclass Elasmobranchii
Holocephali
heartChambers two-chambered heart
includes chimaeras
rays
sharks
skates
jawType movable jaws
kingdom Animalia
notableGroup Batoidea
Selachii
phylum Chordata
reproductionMode oviparous in some species
ovoviviparous in some species
viviparous in some species
respiration gills
sensorySystem lateral line system
skeletonContains cartilage
skeletonLacks true bone
skeletonType cartilaginous skeleton
subphylum Vertebrata
threatStatus many species threatened by bycatch
many species threatened by habitat degradation
many species threatened by overfishing
timeOfOrigin Paleozoic era
toothType replaceable teeth in many species

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Gnathostomata
includes
Vertebrata
includesTaxon

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