agnathan

Examples of agnathan in the following topics:

• Agnathans: Jawless Fishes

  • Jawless fishes or agnathans are craniates that represent an ancient vertebrate lineage that arose over one half-billion years ago.
  • "Gnathos" is Greek for "jaw" and the prefix "a" means "without," so agnathans are "without jaws. " Most agnathans are now extinct, but two branches still exist today: hagfishes and lampreys.
  • A defining feature of agnathans is the lack of paired lateral appendages or fins.
  • These agnathans are classified as Myxini and do not have a vertebral column.

• Gnathostomes: Jawed Fishes

  • In early evolutionary history, there were gnathostomes (jawed fishes) and agnathans (jawless fishes).