GNATHOSTOMATA Meaning and
Definition
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Gnathostomata is a biological term that refers to a superclass of vertebrate animals, commonly known as jawed vertebrates or jawed fish. The word is derived from the Greek words "gnathos" meaning jaw, and "stoma" meaning mouth.
Members of the Gnathostomata superclass possess one of the most distinguishing characteristics in the animal kingdom - hinged jaws. Jawed vertebrates evolved from a group of jawless fish called agnathans during the Silurian period of the Paleozoic era, approximately 430 million years ago. The development of jaws enabled these animals to be highly efficient predators by allowing them to bite and capture prey more effectively, contributing to their dominance and evolutionary success.
Gnathostomata encompasses various classes of organisms, including Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish like sharks and rays), Actinopterygii (ray-finned fish like trout and goldfish), Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish such as coelacanths and lungfish), and Tetrapoda (land-dwelling vertebrates including amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals).
In addition to jaws, this superclass also shares other common features such as paired appendages (fins or limbs), bony skeletons made of either cartilage or bone, and a well-developed brain protected by a bony braincase. These characteristics have allowed jawed vertebrates to adapt to various environments and diversify into a wide range of species, occupying almost every habitat on Earth.
The evolutionary success of gnathostomes has had a significant impact on ecosystems, bringing about ecological balance and contributing to biodiversity. Their classification and study have been essential in understanding the evolution and diversity of vertebrates
Common Misspellings for GNATHOSTOMATA
- fnathostomata
- vnathostomata
- bnathostomata
- hnathostomata
- ynathostomata
- tnathostomata
- gbathostomata
- gmathostomata
- gjathostomata
- ghathostomata
- gnzthostomata
- gnsthostomata
- gnwthostomata
- gnqthostomata
- gnarhostomata
- gnafhostomata
- gnaghostomata
- gnayhostomata
- gna6hostomata
Etymology of GNATHOSTOMATA
The word gnathostomata is derived from the Greek words gnathos meaning jaw or jawbone and stoma meaning mouth. Gnathostomata is a taxonomic group that includes vertebrates with jaws, such as fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The term was coined by the German zoologist Karl Ernst von Baer in the 19th century to distinguish these organisms from the jawless vertebrates or agnathans.
Similar spelling word for GNATHOSTOMATA
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