BIO 370 — Vertebrate Zoology
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Vertebrate Anatomy
Shark Skeleton & Jaws
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Identify the listed structures on the preserved shark skeleton (Squalus sp.)

Shark skeleton plain
  • Ceratotrichia
  • Gill arches
  • Hyoid arch
  • Ischiopubic bar
  • Meckel's cartilage
  • Nasal capsule
  • Palatoquadrate
  • Pectoral fin
  • Pelvic fin
  • Rostrum
  • Radial cartilages
  • Vertebral column


Shark Appendages plain

Identify the following features on the shark cranium (Squalus sp.)

Shark cranium plain
  • Antorbital process
  • Foramen magnum
  • Nasal capsule
  • Occipital condyle
  • Orbit
  • Otic capsule
  • Postorbital process
  • Rostrum

Identify the following features on the Stingray Skeleton (Urobatis jamaicensis)

Stingray skeleton plain
  • Basal cartilages
  • Caudal fin
  • Ceratotrichia
  • Cranium
  • Eye
  • Gill arches
  • Ischiopubic bar
  • Nasal capsule
  • Pectoral fin
  • Pectoral girdle
  • Pelvic fin
  • Radial cartilages
  • Spine (Venomous)
  • Vertebral Column

The skulls and jaws of selected chondrichthyans

ratfish skull
Spotted ratfish skull, (Subclass Holocephali, Order Chimaeriformes). Note fusion of palatoquadrate to cranium and platelike teeth.
Bat ray jaw
Jaws of a Bat ray, Myliobatis californica (Clade Batoidea, Order Myliobatiformes). Durophagus.
skate jaw
Jaws of a skate, Dipturus sp.? (Clade Batoidea, Order Rajiformes). Durophagus & invertebrates
Stingray jaw
Jaws of an Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina in posterior view (Clade Batoidea, Order Myliobatiformes). Invertebrates.
requiem shark jaw
Jaws of a requiem shark, Carcharhinus sp. (Clade Selachii, Order Carcharhiniformes). A piscivore.
mako shark jaw
Jaws of a shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus (Clade Selachii, Order Carcharhiniformes). Eats fish and squid.
catshark jaw
Jaws of a catshark shark, probably Atelomycterus sp. (Clade Selachii, Order Lamniformes). Eats benthic invertebrates & small fishes.

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This page last updated 6 June 2021 by Udo M. Savalli ()
Images and text © Udo M. Savalli. All rights reserved.