Questions and Answers
What common fishes does the class Chondrichthyes include?
Sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras
What is a shark?
What is a Great White Shark?
What is a Bonnethead shark?
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What type of skeleton and scales do Chondrichthyes possess?
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How can Chondrichthyans reproduce?
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What is the modified fin in male Chondrichthyans used during reproduction?
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What are the offspring of cartilaginous fish called?
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What type of body shape and caudal fin do sharks possess?
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Why is the ability to store and release lipids in cartilaginous fish so important for their survival?
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What is a rectal gland and what is its purpose in cartilaginous fish?
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What is unique about the teeth in sharks?
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What is the first sense that sharks use to detect prey?
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How many senses does a shark have?
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What sense has only evolved in cartilaginous fish and what does it detect?
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Which sharks are known to be filter feeders?
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How are rays and skates anatomically different from sharks?
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What do rays and skates use for their influx of oxygen?
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What are some examples of rays that can be found around Guam?
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What defense mechanism do stingrays use?
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How is a chimaera different from a shark, ray, or skate?
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Study Notes
Class Chondrichthyes Overview
- Includes sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras.
- Characterized by a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone.
Shark Types
- Great White Shark: Known for size and predatory skills.
- Bonnethead Shark: Smaller shark with a unique head shape.
Anatomy and Physiology
- Cartilaginous skeletons support a lightweight structure.
- Placoid scales provide protection and reduce drag in water.
- Heterocercal caudal fin aids in swift movement.
Reproductive Methods
- Three modes of reproduction: viviparous (live birth), ovoviviparous (eggs hatch within the mother), and oviparous (egg-laying).
- Males possess modified pelvic fins known as claspers for internal fertilization.
- Offspring referred to as "pups."
Sensory Capabilities
- Sharks have eight senses, primarily relying on olfaction for detecting prey from great distances.
- The ampullae of Lorenzini are unique electroreceptors that detect bioelectric fields from other animals.
- Utilizes lateral line system for movement detection in water.
Feeding Behavior
- Predator sharks have multiple rows of teeth (6-20) that continuously replace as needed, potentially using over 20,000 teeth in a lifetime.
- Filter feeders include whale sharks and basking sharks, which consume plankton.
Specialized Adaptations
- Large liver filled with lipids provides buoyancy, crucial for survival in aquatic environments.
- Rectal gland regulates salt balance by removing excess sodium and chloride ions, and converts ammonia to urea.
Distinctions among Chondrichthyans
- Rays and skates have flattened bodies and wing-like pectoral fins, suited for a benthic lifestyle.
- Spiracles allow for water intake for respiration when the mouth is buried in sand.
- Stingrays feature venomous spines for defense and can lash their muscular tails quickly.
Chimaeras
- Distinct from other Chondrichthyans with a large head, prominent eyes, elongated snout, and four gill slits covered by an operculum.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the class Chondrichthyes, which includes sharks, rays, and skates. This quiz features key terms and definitions related to these fascinating cartilaginous fish. Perfect for biology students studying marine life.
