Agnatha
1
9.9
A group of eel-shaped animals without jaws, like lampreys and hagfish
- noun
- /æɡˈnæθə/
- Specialized
:
Agnatha
- Scientists study the Agnatha to understand the evolution of vertebrates.
Examples
-
Agnatha are jawless fish that include species like lampreys and hagfish.
-
Hagfish, Eptatretus spp., of the class Agnatha, family Myxinidae, are among the most primitive and unique of fishes.
Academic text (1993) -
The ancient lineage of Agnatha reveals important information about early fish development.
Synonyms
1
7.0
Fish like lampreys and hagfish that do not have jaws or paired fins
is the broader group term not limited to fish label
9.9
A fish-like animal with a backbone and no jaws or paired fins, like lampreys
is the taxonomic group name rather than the term for a single animal
9.7
A long eel-like fish without jaws or paired fins
is similar but names the group without highlighting paired appendage absence
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word Agnatha comes from the Greek parts a- meaning 'without' and gnath meaning 'jaw'. So Agnatha literally means 'without jaws' and refers to eel-shaped animals like lampreys and hagfishes that do not have jaws.