Neoselachii facts for kids
The Neoselachii are a very important group of fish. These fish have skeletons made of cartilage instead of bone. This group includes all the living sharks, skates, and rays we see today. They are part of a larger group called Elasmobranchii, which is a subclass within the class Chondrichthyes (fish with cartilage skeletons).
This amazing group of fish started to grow and change very quickly during the Upper Triassic period, a long, long time ago. Their ancestors were a type of early shark that lived even earlier, during the Devonian period.
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What are Neoselachii?
Neoselachii are often called "modern sharks and rays." They are special because their skeletons are made of cartilage. Cartilage is a strong but flexible material, like what you have in your nose or ears. This is different from most other fish, which have bony skeletons.
This group is split into two main parts:
- Selachii: These are the sharks.
- Batoidea: These are the skates and rays.
Ancient History of Neoselachii
The first Neoselachii appeared a very long time ago. Scientists believe they came from an ancient type of shark that lived during the Devonian period, which was about 419 to 359 million years ago!
Over millions of years, these early sharks slowly changed and developed into the many different kinds of sharks, skates, and rays we know today. They became very successful and spread throughout the world's oceans.
Where Do They Live?
Neoselachii live in all the world's oceans, from warm tropical waters to cold polar seas. You can find them in shallow coastal areas and deep parts of the ocean. Each type of shark, skate, or ray has its own special habitat where it thrives.
Images for kids
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This chart shows how different groups of fish with cartilage skeletons have changed over time.
See also
In Spanish: Elasmobranquios para niños
