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Glite Dictionary
Gnathostomata

Gnathostomata

9.9
A group of animals with backbones that have both upper and lower jaws, like fish and mammals
  • noun
  • /næθəˈstɑːmətə/
  • Specialized
: Gnathostomata
  • The Gnathostomata include most vertebrates, with exceptions such as lampreys and hagfish.

Examples

  • In biology class, we learned that humans are members of the Gnathostomata.

  • Many Gnathostomata exhibit complex jaw structures.

  • Fossil records show that Gnathostomata first appeared during the Silurian period.

  • The Gnathostomata group includes various species of fish.

  • Fossil records show that Gnathostomata first appeared during the Silurian period.

  • In biology class, we learned that humans are members of the Gnathostomata.

  • The Gnathostomata include most vertebrates, with exceptions such as lampreys and hagfish.

Synonyms

gnathostome
vsGnathostomata
  • Specialized
9.9

An animal with a backbone and true jaws, like mammals, birds, reptiles, and most fish

refers to the entire taxonomic group of jawed vertebrates rather than one animal

Surface Forms

Gnathostomata singular
Gnathostomatas plural

Morphology

Gnathostomata = gnathostome (opaque) = gnath + stoma + ata

The relation gnathostome -> Gnathostomata is a regular taxonomic pluralization, but the base 'gnathostome' is a specialist term built from Greek combining forms that many learners will not recognise.

Etymology

Gnathostomata comes from Greek parts gnath- meaning 'jaw' and -stoma meaning 'mouth'. So Gnathostomata names the group of animals that have both upper and lower jaws and a mouth, like most fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.