To which Class does the Zebra Shark belong, defined by its cartilaginous skeleton?
Answer
Chondrichthyes
The Zebra Shark belongs to the Class Chondrichthyes, a designation derived from the Greek words for 'cartilage' and 'fish'. This classification is central to understanding this group of marine animals, which includes all sharks, rays, and chimaeras. The defining characteristic of Chondrichthyes is that their internal skeletons are constructed predominantly from cartilage rather than the calcified bone found in teleost fishes. Cartilage is inherently less dense than true bone, which provides these cartilaginous fishes with a degree of inherent buoyancy, an important adaptation for life in the marine environment. This fundamental skeletal difference sets them apart evolutionarily and morphologically from bony fish groups.
Related Questions
To which Class does the Zebra Shark belong, defined by its cartilaginous skeleton?What common name is associated with the Order Orectolobiformes, where the Zebra Shark is placed?According to the 2019 taxonomic review, what is the senior synonym for the Zebra Shark's species name?What reproductive strategy has been documented in female Zebra Sharks reproducing without fertilization?What material primarily composes the skeleton of members within Class Chondrichthyes?What defining morphological feature secures the Zebra Shark's placement within Family Stegomatidae?What structure must a Chordata possess at some stage in its life cycle to qualify for the Phylum Chordata?What two Greek words form the genus name *Stegostoma*, referencing a key physical trait?How does the global IUCN listing for *Stegostoma tigrinum* contrast with the Australian coastal population listing?What specialized feeding mechanism does the Zebra Shark use to procure prey from reef crevices?