shark: Classification

Sharks, rays (including skates), and chimaeras together form the vertebrate class Chondrichthyes, the cartilagenous fishes (see Chordata). The sharks and rays form the subclass Elasmobranchii, and the sharks form the order Selachii.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Classification
• Predation
• Characteristics
• Bibliography

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Vertebrate Zoology