gnathostome

9.9

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

noun
/ˈnæθəˌstoʊm/

Specialized

: gnatostomado

In these jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes), the hyomandibula played a dual role in feeding and gill ventilation.

Examples

Many paleontologists focus on fossils of gnathostomes to understand vertebrate evolution.
In gnathostomes, the mandibular arch forms the bones of the primitive jaw itself.

Academic text (2003)
The study of gnathostomes reveals their unique jaw structures and evolutionary importance.
Scientists believe that gnathostomes first appeared around 400 million years ago.

Synonyms

Gnathostomata

vsgnathostome

Specialized

9.9

A group of animals with backbones that have both upper and lower jaws, like fish and mammals

is an individual jawed vertebrate that belongs to that major group

Surface Forms

gnathostome singular

gnathostomes plural

Morphology

gnathostome = gnath + stome

Composed of Greek combining forms (gnath- + -stome) that are not standalone English words and form a technical scientific term, so an average learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Gnathostome comes from Greek parts gnath- meaning 'jaw' and -stome meaning 'mouth'. So a gnathostome is an animal with real jaws and a proper mouth, which is why mammals, birds, reptiles, and most fish are called gnathostomes.