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Infraphylum: Hyperotreti, Class: Myxini
- 20 extant species of deep-sea scavengers (hagfishes)
- have most of the basic characteristics of vertebrates ...except vertebrae!
- in addition, hagfishes have several 'derived' (specialized) traits:
- - mucous glands and thread cells
- - degenerate eyes
- - "teeth" on tongue
- - unique feeding
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Infraphylum VertebrataClass: Petromyzontida
- includes >40 species of parasitic fishes (lampreys)
- demonstrate the basic vertebrate design as larvae:
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But as adults, they have many specializations, e.g.:
- digestive system specialized for parasitism
- tidal ventilationSeveral species are pests of commercial and sport fisheries.
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The Origin of Jaws
Most vertebrates have jaws and paired appendanges: when did these evolve?
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Gnathostomes
- probably evolved in the mid Ordovician (~480 mya)
- underwent a second duplication of the Hox genes;
- possess numerous derived characteristics (specializations) compared to agnathans:
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Skeletal System
- jaws, derived from the first two pharyngeal arches- teeth
- two pairs of appendages (pectoral, pelvic), probably derived from skin folds
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Respiratory System
- gills with counter-currentexchange
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Reproductive System
gametes excreted via thearchinephric duct (sperm)and oviduct (eggs)
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Nervous System
- myelinated axons
- lateral line (canal containing groups of hair cells) for sensing motion in water
- may also detect electrical fields
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Do any living species exhibit just the basic gnathostome design?
- No. Gnathostomes diversified during the Ordovician (~450mya), and include two derived lineages:
- Class Chondrichthyes("cartilageous fishes")
- "bony fishes" and tetrapods.
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Class: Chondrichthyes
What’s special about the Chondrichthyes?
- Living chondrichthyans have several distinctive characteristics:
- placoid scales
- teeth replacedcontinuously
- skeleton calcified, but notossified; fins supported by keratinized rods
- ventral mouth; intestine with spiral valve; liver often oil-filled for buoyancy
- osmoregulation via urea
- eggs generally develop in a protein sac(oviparous), but some species are ovoviviparous[female retain eggs during development] or viviparous [developing young are supported by a placenta]; internal fertilization via pelvic claspers
- well-developed electroreception; reflective layer in retina enables vision in dim light; strong olfactory sensitivity
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Is there much variation within Chondrichthyes?
Chondrichthyes underwent three major radiations; two major groups remain, including ~900 species:
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(1) Holocephali
- chimeras, ratfishes
- feed on crustaceans
- upper jaw fused to cranium; teeth modified into grinding plates; one gill slit
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(2) Elasmobranchii
- modern sharks, rays, skates
- active predators and planktivores
- jaw-opening mechanismenables jaw protrusion andsuction; stiff fins and heterocercal tail provide lift; multiple gill slits
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