Jawless Vertebrate (Noun)
Meaning
Eel-shaped vertebrate without jaws or paired appendages including the cyclostomes and some extinct forms.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The lamprey is an example of a jawless vertebrate, with a suction cup-like mouth that is lined with razor-sharp teeth.
- Some scientists have identified a few characteristics that are common to all jawless vertebrates, including the lack of paired appendages.
- The fossil record indicates that jawless vertebrates have been present on Earth for at least 530 million years.
- Cyclostomes, which include hagfish and lampreys, are the only living jawless vertebrates that exist today.
- In addition to hagfish and lampreys, several extinct groups of jawless vertebrates have been identified through fossil evidence.