![]() ![]() General Characteristics of Chondrichthyes While they are closely related to sharks, they are distinguishable by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins, and gill slits on the lower surface of their bodies. There are over 500 species in thirteen families and four orders. There are four living orders of rays that compose the suborder Batoidea. Sharks are primarily saltwater fishes, but some, like the bull shark, can be found in freshwater. Sharks are found in all of the world’s oceans and are common down to about 2,000 meters. The largest shark is the whale shark, while the smallest is the dwarf lantern shark. There are 440 species of sharks in nine orders (some taxonomic references don’t include the order Echinorhiniformes and thus count only eight orders). Elasmobanchs: Sharks, Skates and Rays Sharks: Selanchimorpha superorder We’ve kept them in this order because of their historical classification in the Chondrichthyes. Some taxonomists classify chimaeras into their own order. These fish have bulky heads and a single gill opening. Generally they live very deep on the ocean floor at depths greater than 600 feet. Holocephali – ChimaerasĬhimaeras are sometimes called ghost fish, ratfish or rabbit fish. They are cartilaginous fish along with skates, rays and chimeras. Like other fish skeletons you’ve seen, you’d expect a rib cage and hard bones to reveal themselves as the animal decayed. ![]()
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