Introduction

The Internet Resources

Ancient cartilaginous fish

• Jaws - A rather boring website, I must say. It is basically a two paragraph paraphrase on cartilaginous fishes and what makes them unique, such as the fact that one of their earliest ancestor is the guitarfish. This site is pretty simple and good for ignorant people.
  I give this site one shark tooth for being boring and overly simplistic. I am giving it one instead of 1/2 because it is part of my brother's college site.

• Click on a fossil! - This site does not have much facts about chondrichthyes, but does have many interesting pictures of ancient fossils of these fish. Since cartilage decomposes much more quickly than does bone, fossils of cartilaginous fish are rare. These pictures are a treat! They are very fascinating for people of any age.
  I give this site two and 1/2 shark teeth for having interesting photos.

• Jawless and Cartilaginous Fishes - An interesting website that informs one of the body structure and composition of ancient cartilaginous fishes as well as jawless fish. It also tells how these fish differ from modern fish. Did you know that rays evolved from early sharks? This evolution still is visible in the angel shark, which is shown on the website in a picture. This site goes in-depth on how these fish developed cartilage.
  I give this site four shark teeth for having much information, evidence, and pictures.

Modern cartilaginous fish

• Order Cartilaginous Fishes - Very informative website that goes in-depth about three main species of cartilaginous fishes: sharks, rays, and chimaeras. It branches out to provide detailed information on eating habits, behavior, etc. on each of these species. This website is very informative and good for high school students.
  I give this site four shark teeth for being very informative and interesting.

• The Neglected Chondrichthyes - This site goes in detail on the often ignored cartilaginous fish: chimaeras. It describes the ways in which these fish are different from others and why they are often neglected. Has a neat picture of the physical characteristics of chimaeras as well. One of the characteristics that make chimaeras different from other chondrichthyes is that chimaeras have a gill cover over their four gills, leaving one slit on each side.
  I give this site three and 1/2 shark teeth for caring about the neglected chimaeras.

• Reef Ecology Guide - This site is abounding in information as well as fun little tidbits of information on diving in Asia. I know its a tourist site, but it does give cool data on what species of sharks and rays you may be able to see while diving in specific areas. Did you know that the whale sharks is one of the largest fish in the ocean?
  This site gets only three shark teeth for abounding in various little tidbits of information on certain cartilaginous fish, but for not including chimaeras.

• Chondrichthyes - This site gives the orders of rays and sharks, and offers links to more detailed information on each type. Also has many photos to distinguish each type of ray and shark. Even gives a little information on chimaeras. For defense, chimaeras have poisonous spines located in front of their dorsal fin. Good for learning everything about modern-day sharks and rays.
  I give this site three and 1/2 shark teeth for being factual and having cool photos.

• Sharks, Rays, and Skates - Very simple site with tidbits of information on species of cartilaginous fish. It gives info on characteristics such as habitat, diet, and maximum size. Did you know that skates, unlike rays, do not have venomous spines for defense? Good if your looking for specific data on certain sharks, rays, and skates.
  I rate this site with three and 1/2 shark teeth for being informational and having nice pictures.

Pictures

• Taxonomy Tree - This site does not have as much written synopsis as it does visual information. It gives a tree on the relations between cartilaginous fishes, and gives the more common name of modern species, like Squalidae is the scientific name for dogfish sharks. Sadly, there are no pictures, but its still a wonderful website.
  This site is awarded three shark teeth for being different and interesting.

• Click on a cartilaginous fish! - Click on a fish and learn a wee bit about it. It does not have as much informaton as other sites, but fascinating photos. Some of the information I did pick up was that the sawfish is a type of ray, despite its sharklke appearance and long saw-like nose.
  I give this site three shark teeth for having wonderful photos.

Articles

• Basic Information - A small website that gives a more scientifically oriented description on the class chondrichthyes, such as that it is split into two subclasses: Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. Also has many names of different species within the class chondrichthyes. It is vague, but interesting and has links to other sites containing creatures of the sea. Not the best website, but better than others I've seen.
  I give this site two shark teeth for bein very informative but limited in information.

• Brief Article - A brief article about how sharks, rays, and chimaeras shouldn't be thought of as inferior just because they are made of cartilage. The writer adds comedy into the article, making it interesting and persuasive. Did you know that the areas in humans that are made of cartilage are in the nose, the ear, the voice box, the disks between the vertebrae, and at the ends of free-moving bones? I really enjoyed this persuasive article.
  I give this site four and 1/2 shark teeth for being informative and funny.