Gnathostomous

/næˈθɒs.tə.məs/ adjective

Definition

Belonging to or characteristic of the Gnathostomata; having jaws and a true mouth as opposed to jawless creatures.

Etymology

From gnathostomi with the suffix -ous, meaning characterized by or belonging to; describes the defining feature of having jaws.

Kelly Says

Every animal you've ever thought of—you, fish, birds, dinosaurs—is gnathostomous because we all inherited jaws from fish ancestors, which was one of evolution's greatest inventions!

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