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Order Summary for Chimaeriformes
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Main Ref |
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Order |
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Chimaeriformes chimaeras |
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Class |
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Holocephali |
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Sister Order |
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Hexanchiformes 400 M years |
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Ref. |
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First Fossil Record |
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early Devonian |
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Occurs in |
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Marine |
Fresh |
Brackish |
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Remark |
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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. |
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Class etymology |
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Greek holos = whole + Greek kephale = head. Ref. 45335. |
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Order etymology |
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Latin, chimaera = monster. 1634 + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335). |
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Families |
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