How is the overall body configuration of Xenacanthus described in anatomical terms?
Answer
Slender, eel-like body
The physical structure of *Xenacanthus* is characterized by a slender, eel-like body configuration. This elongated morphology suggests adaptations geared toward agility and maneuverability within confined or vegetated aquatic habitats, such as slow-moving rivers or lake bottoms, rather than the streamlined, fusiform shapes optimized for high-speed pursuit in open waters common to many modern sharks. This body plan aligns with its freshwater niche during the Paleozoic Era.
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