Amphirhina

/ˌæmfɪˈraɪnə/ noun

Definition

A subclass of fish that have nasal passages connected to both the mouth and the outside of the head, representing an ancient fish lineage.

Etymology

From Greek 'amphi' (both) + 'rhina' (nose), a taxonomic term used to classify primitive fish groups discovered in the 1800s.

Kelly Says

Amphirhina represents an evolutionary missing link—these ancient fish had double nostrils in a way that helped scientists understand how fish eventually evolved into land animals with our modern nose design.

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