Agnatha (Noun)
Meaning
Superclass of eel-shaped chordates lacking jaws and pelvic fins: lampreys; hagfishes; some extinct forms.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Agnatha includes various ancient eel-shaped chordates that date back to early vertebrate life.
- Lampreys and hagfishes are the two main modern groups comprising the Agnatha superclass.
- The characteristics shared by all Agnatha species include the absence of jawbones, pelvic fins, and paired limbs.
- Hagfishes, which belong to the superclass Agnatha, possess numerous unique features, such as their ability to release slimy mucus.
- Many extinct Agnatha species have contributed to our understanding of early vertebrate evolution and development.