Chondrichthyes
/kɒnˈdrɪkθiːz
/plural noun Zoology
A class of fishes that includes those with a cartilaginous skeleton. Compare with Osteichthyes.Given these generalities from research on bony fishes and some salamanders, we review recent studies on the evolution of feeding systems in Chondrichthyes, the sister group to all other living gnathostome vertebrates....
- A platelike structure, the operculum, covers the gills; this is not present in most Chondrichthyes (except for chimaeras).
- The Chondrichthyes or ‘cartilaginous fishes’ are so called because their internal skeletons are composed of cartilage (the stiffening substance in your nose and ears), reinforced with small bone plates.
Origin
Modern Latin, from Greek khondros 'cartilage' + ikhthus 'fish'.