hagfish

(noun)

any of several primitive eellike creatures, of the family Myxinidae, having a sucking mouth with rasping teeth; considered edible in Japan, their skin is used to make a form of leather

Related Terms

Examples of hagfish in the following topics:

  • Agnathans: Jawless Fishes

    • Hagfishes and lampreys are recognized as separate clades, primarily because lampreys are true vertebrates, whereas hagfishes are not.
    • The clade Myxini includes at least 20 species of hagfishes.
    • This notochord provides support to the hagfish's body.
    • Lampreys are morphologically similar to hagfishes and also lack paired appendages.
    • Pacific hagfish are scavengers that live on the ocean floor.

  • The Evolution of Craniata and Vertebrata

    • The clade Craniata includes all vertebrates and the hagfishes (Myxini), which have a cranium but lack a backbone.
    • Hagfish are the only known living animals that have a skull, but not a vertebral column .
    • Although it lacks a backbone, the hagfish is a member of the Craniata clade because it possesses a bony skull.