Which class of fish is known for its cartilaginous skeleton?

Class Chondrichthyes is renowned for its members possessing a cartilaginous skeleton. This class includes species such as sharks, rays, and skates, which are characterized by a skeleton made primarily of cartilage rather than bone. This adaptation provides several advantages, including reduced weight, flexibility, and increased buoyancy, which are essential for their predatory lifestyle in marine and brackish environments.

The classification of fish distinguishes between those with bony (Class Osteichthyes) and cartilaginous skeletons (Class Chondrichthyes). While Osteichthyes are known for their bony skeletons and encompass a wide range of familiar fish, including salmon and trout, Chondrichthyes stands apart due to its unique cartilaginous structure. The flexibility of cartilage allows for rapid, agile movements, benefiting the predation and survival of these species in diverse aquatic habitats. Hence, the identification of Class Chondrichthyes as the group known for having a cartilaginous skeleton is accurate based on these distinctive anatomical features.