Sawfish   33-II
VERTEBRATA
Classification
 
 
The Comb Shark (Pristis pectinata) is a type of sawfish.
[USFWS Photo]



Chapter Outline
  1. Description of Vertebrata
  2. Classification of Vertebrata
  3. Cyclostomata (Ch. 32)
  4. Chondrichthyes
  5. Batoidea
  6. Chimaeriformes

Tree



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Vertebrata is a classification of animals ranked somewhere between a subphylum and a superclass. It contains those animals with a backbone containing segments of bone called vertebrae, which include fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The fist division of vertebrates is between those with jaws (Gnathostomata) and those without (Cyclostomata). Nearly all vertebrates have jaws but hagfishes and lampreys do not. Cyclostomata was explored in the previous chapter on page 32-V.

Gnathostomata is split into two groups: those with bony skeletons (Teleostomi) and the class of those with cartilaginous skeletons (Chondrichthyes). Cartilage is the flexible material that makes up the tip of your nose, your outer ears, and some other parts of the human body. But for some animals it makes up their whole skeleton. These animals include Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras. These animals are the focus of this chapter. Animals with bony skeletons will be explored in the following chapters.

  • Vertebrata
    • Cyclostomata (page 32-V) - Jawless Vertebrates
      • Myxini
        • Myxiniformes - Hagfishes
      • Hyperoartia
        • Petromyzontiformes - Lampreys
    • Gnathostomata - Jawed Vertebrates
      • Chondrichthyes (page 33-IV)
        • Elasmobranchii
          • Selachii
            • Galeomorphii
              • Galeoidea
                • Carcharhiniformes - Ground Sharks
                • Lamniformes - Mackerel Sharks
                • Orectolobiformes - Carpet Sharks
              • Heterodontoidea
                • Heterodontiformes - Bullhead Sharks
            • Squalimorphii
              • Echinorhiniformes - Bramble Sharks
              • Hexanchiformes - Cow and Frilled Sharks
              • Pristiophoriformes - Saw Sharks
              • Squaliformes - Dogfishes
              • Squatiniformes - Angel Sharks
          • Batoidea - Rays (page 33-V)
            • Myliobatiformes - Stringrays
            • Rajiformes - Rays
            • Rhinopristiformes - Sawfishes, Guitarfishes
            • Torpediniformes - Electric Rays
        • Holocephali
          • Chimaeriformes - Chimaeras (page 33-VI)
      • Teleostomi (chapters 34-38)

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