What specific skeletal material defines Class Chondrichthyes, to which the whale shark belongs?
Answer
Cartilage
The whale shark is classified within Class Chondrichthyes, which fundamentally distinguishes these creatures from bony fish, classified as Osteichthyes. The defining characteristic of Chondrichthyes—which includes all sharks, rays, and skates—is that their internal skeletons are composed entirely of cartilage. Cartilage is inherently less dense and more flexible than true bone, influencing the overall biology and structure of these cartilaginous fish. This classification also implies several other biological traits, such as breathing exclusively through gill slits and the lack of nursing capabilities for their young, regardless of whether they lay eggs or give live birth.
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