Marine Biology - Phylum Chordata

Subphylum

Vertebrata

What does everyone in Subphylum Vertebrata have?

A backbone that protects nerve chord, bilateral symmetry, Endoskeleton.

What are the 3 classes under the Subphylum Vertebrata?

Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes

What does agnatha include?

Jawless fish such as lampreys and hagfish

Hagfish Description

Ocean scavengers

Lamprey Description

Parasitic, salt and fresh water fish that prey on other fish

What do Lamprey and Agnatha have in common?

Cartilaginous skeletons and sucker-like mouths with rows of teeth, elongated cylindrical bodies, no fins or scales, brain protected by skull but lacking true vertebrae

Chondrichthyes include

Sharks, Rays, Skates and Ratfishes

Shark Chondrichthyes include

Cartilage skeletons, moveable jaw, lateral fins for swimming, rough sand-paper skin, scales with a pointed tip, no operculum so they must keep moving to breathe, live and egg births, 5-7 gills behind head.

What is the lateral line?

Canal that are filled with fluid

What type of sex do sharks have?

Separate with internal fertilization

Chondrichthyes - Rays and Skates include

No operculum, 5 gill slits under body, live in shallow water, mouth located on underside of body, eyes on top

Types of Stingrays

Eagle ray, Bat ray, Cow-nosed Ray, Manta ray

Chondrichthyes - Stingray details

Whip-like tails with stinging spines at base, poison glands that produce venom, Burrow in ground, feed on clams, crabs and small fish. Pectoral fins are used to move, teeth grind food, live birth,