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Glite Dictionary
chondrichthian

chondrichthian

9.9
A fish like a shark or ray that has a skeleton of cartilage instead of bone
  • noun
  • /kɒnˈdrɪkθiən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : condrictio
  • Most sharks are classified as chondrichthians because their skeletons are made of cartilage.

Examples

  • Unlike bony fish, chondrichthians do not have true bone in their bodies.

  • Scientists study fossilized teeth to learn about ancient chondrichthians.

  • A chondrichthian swims gracefully.

  • The chondrichthian species are fascinating to study.

  • Most sharks are classified as chondrichthians because their skeletons are made of cartilage.

  • Scientists study fossilized teeth to learn about ancient chondrichthians.

  • Unlike bony fish, chondrichthians do not have true bone in their bodies.

Synonyms

cartilaginous fish
vschondrichthian
  • Specialized
6.8

A fish whose skeleton is made of soft cartilage not bone

is the scientific class term for that group
elasmobranch
vschondrichthian
  • Specialized
9.9

A fish with a skeleton made of cartilage like a shark or ray

is the class name focusing on cartilage skeleton only

Surface Forms

chondrichthian singular
chondrichthians plural

Morphology

chondrichthian = Chondrichthyes (opaque) = chondr + ichth + ian

The form is a regular suffixation from the taxonomic name 'Chondrichthyes' to denote a member (-ian), but the taxon name is technical and built from Greek combining forms unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Chondrichthian comes from Greek parts chondr- 'cartilage' and ichthys 'fish', so it means a 'cartilage fish'. That's why sharks and rays are called chondrichthians: their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone.