Gnathostome (Noun)
Meaning
A vertebrate animal possessing true jaws.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The discovery of early gnathostomes has significantly impacted the field of paleontology by giving researchers a better understanding of vertebrate jaw evolution.
- Gnathostomes are classified as a superclass in many taxonomic systems, including various jawed fish and tetrapods.
- Nearly all vertebrates today are gnathostomes, ranging from cartilaginous sharks and rays to mammals and birds.
- Fossil evidence suggests that gnathostomes first emerged around 450 to 500 million years ago during the Early to Middle Ordovician period.
- Many modern gnathostomes possess a diverse array of dental structures that are thought to have evolved in response to environmental pressures.