What defining trait separates the White Sturgeon's skeletal composition from many modern bony fishes?
Answer
It retains a mostly cartilaginous skeleton
A key biological feature differentiating the White Sturgeon from many modern bony fish is that it retains a mostly cartilaginous skeleton, despite being classified in the bony fish class Actinopterygii. This primitive trait contributes to its ancient lineage appearance. While it possesses a backbone, which places it in the Subphylum Vertebrata, the main structural material remains cartilage rather than fully ossified bone found in more derived species. This cartilaginous nature, combined with the external reinforcement provided by the five rows of bony plates or scutes, creates its unique body framework.
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