Chondrostean

/kɒnˈdroʊstiən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or belonging to the Chondrostei, an ancient group of fish with partial cartilaginous skeletons.

Etymology

From Greek chondros (cartilage) + osteon (bone) + -an (relating to). The term reflects these fish being intermediate between fully cartilaginous and fully bony fish.

Kelly Says

Chondrostean fish like sturgeons are living fossils—they've barely changed in 250 million years because their hybrid skeleton design was so successful that evolution didn't need to improve it much.

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