Elasmobranch

/ɪˈlæzmoʊˌbræŋk/ noun

Definition

A type of fish with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone, including sharks, rays, and skates.

Etymology

From Greek 'elasmo-' (plate) and 'branchia' (gill), referring to the characteristic gill slits arranged as separate openings along the sides of their heads, which appear like plates.

Kelly Says

Elasmobranchs are actually evolutionarily older than bony fish—they've been around for over 400 million years, which means sharks are more primitive than bass and tuna, even though they seem more 'advanced' to us!

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