Swimming strategies in chondrichthyes and in osteichthyes

How distinct are the swimming strategies in chondrichthyes and in osteichthyes? Why do sharks require agitating their body to swim whereas bony fishes do not?

E

Expert

Verified

Bony fishes contain a specialized organ termed a gas bladder, or swim bladder, which’s interior, can be filled with gas released from gas glands. The swim bladder functions as a hydrostatic organ as it differ the relative density of the body regulating buoyancy and the depth of animal in water.

Chondrichthyes do not contain swim bladders and therefore they should continuously agitate their body to keep swimming and sustain their depth in water. As an extra swimming aid, in chondrichthyes the liver is oily and big; this feature aids to decrease their body density relative to water.

   Related Questions in Biology

©TutorsGlobe All rights reserved 2022-2023.