Questions and Answers
Which group of fish is the most primitive?
Agnathans
Which two fish are the only surviving agnaths today?
Lamprey and hagfish
What is the main characteristic of Agnathans?
They have no jaws
What is the main characteristic of Chondrichthyes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which fish group consists of sharks, rays, and skates?
Signup and view all the answers
Superclass Agnatha This group is the most primitive of the three groups of fish. The fish belonging to this group have no ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Members of this group were generally small and heavily ______ and lacked paired fins.
Signup and view all the answers
They moved along the bottom of the sea where they preyed upon a variety of ______.
Signup and view all the answers
The only surviving agnaths today are lampreys (class Cephalaspidiformes) and ______ (class Myxini).
Signup and view all the answers
Chondrichthyes is diverse, consisting of ______, rays, and skates, together with saw.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Major Classifications of Fish
- There are three major groups of living fish: Agnathans, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes.
Agnathans
- Most primitive group of fish, characterized by the absence of jaws.
- Mouths are like holes in their heads, lacking movable parts.
- Generally small, heavily armored, and lacking paired fins.
- Moved along the sea bottom, preying on arthropods.
- Large gills served as food filters and respiratory organs.
- Only surviving agnaths today are lampreys (Cephalaspidiformes) and hagfishes (Myxini).
Characteristics of Lampreys and Hagfishes
- Slimy, lacking scales or armor.
- Elongated, eel-like bodies.
- Hagfishes are known for producing slime.
Class Chondrichthyes
- Diverse group consisting of sharks, rays, skates, and sawfish.
- A separate classification from Agnathans.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
