Introduction.
Sharks have been around for hundreds of millions of years
Subclass Elasmobranchii:
Sharks and Rays are classified in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Chondrichthyes(Greek, chondr- 'cartilage', ichthys 'fish'), and Class Elasmobranchii. Elasmobranchs are fish which all share one main characteristic: cartilaginous skeletons. There are over 1,000 species of elasmobranchs ranginging from great white sharks, to spotted rays to sawfish to skates. Sharks and rays are the primary focus and what make up majority of this subclass. Besides being made of almost entirely cartilage, elasmobranchs share many more anatomical traits. These include: 5-7 gill slits, spiracles used to assist breathing, placoid scales, and an upper jaw
Sharks have been around for hundreds of millions of years
Subclass Elasmobranchii:
Sharks and Rays are classified in the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Chondrichthyes(Greek, chondr- 'cartilage', ichthys 'fish'), and Class Elasmobranchii. Elasmobranchs are fish which all share one main characteristic: cartilaginous skeletons. There are over 1,000 species of elasmobranchs ranginging from great white sharks, to spotted rays to sawfish to skates. Sharks and rays are the primary focus and what make up majority of this subclass. Besides being made of almost entirely cartilage, elasmobranchs share many more anatomical traits. These include: 5-7 gill slits, spiracles used to assist breathing, placoid scales, and an upper jaw