Order Summary for Chimaeriformes

  Main Ref
:
  Order
:
Chimaeriformes chimaeras
  Class
:
Holocephali
  Sister Order
:
Hexanchiformes 400 M years
  Ref.
:
  First Fossil Record
:
early Devonian
  Occurs in
:
Marine
Fresh
Brackish
  Remark
:
Dentition consisting of a few large permanent grinding tooth plates; palatoquadrate fused to neurocranium. Two dorsal fins, the first erectile, with short base, and preceded by an erectile spine, the second nonerectile, low, and with a long base; mouth inferior. Internal fertilization; eggs encased in a brown horny capsule. Water for breathing is chiefly taken in through the nostrils. Maximum length about 1.5 m.
  Class etymology
:
Greek holos = whole + Greek kephale = head. Ref. 45335.
  Order etymology
:
Latin, chimaera = monster. 1634 + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335).
  Families
:

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]

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