1. Briefly discuss the components of the shark’s vertebral column i.e.

different sections,
parts of typical vertebra, and types of centra.

The centrum of the vertebral column is amphicoelous, meaning it is biconcave. Located

dorsally of the centrum is the neural arch which surrounds the neural canal. The neural
canal encloses the neural spine which is where the arch terminates. Located ventrally of
the centrum is the haemal arch which surrounds the haemal canal. It encloses the haemal
spine which is where this arch terminates. There are thin sheets of connective tissue
partitions that start from the median dorsal line of the neural arch until the median ventral
of the haemal and they are collectively called the dorsal and ventral skeletogenous septa.
They are actively involved, along with the horizontal skeletogenous septa which is an
extension from the centrum to the skin, in bone formation.

2. Briefly discuss the basic components of the shark’s visceral skeleton.

The visceral skeleton of a shark consists of 7 gill arches. The first gill arch is called the
mandibular arch which consists of 2 cartilages. Located at the upper jaw is the
palatoquadrate or pterygoquadrate cartilage while at the lower jaw is the Meckel’s
cartilage. Both bear the teeth of the animal. At the back, they join together to form the
angle of the jaw which allows the animal to open or close their mouth.
 The second gill arch is called the hyoid arch which consists of 5 cartilages. The basihyal
cartilage is located at the ventral part of the skeleton, following the midline of the chest
and provides structural support for the lower gills. At the sides of the basihyal cartilage
are 2 more cartilages which are called the ceratohyal cartilage and based from the
diagram above, it is the largest among the three. Located at the dorsal ends of the
ceratohyal are 2 pairs of the hyomandibular cartilage which is considered the hinge point
for the opening and closing of the jaw. It also carries the gill rays on its posterior region
which are essential for support of the gills.

The remaining 5 arches which are known as the branchial arches can be seen clearly in
the ventral side of the visceral skeleton. They form the wall of the pharynx and maintain
the structure of the gills. Each arch consists of approximately 9 cartilages. The
hypobranchial is curved and forms 3 to 5 pairs of arches. The pharyngobranchial arches
are fused together at the posterior end of the visceral skeleton. The ceratobranchials and
epibranchials are both located laterally and function together to carry gill rays. The
basibranchial is considered the median arch.
3. Describe the basic parts of the shark’s pectoral girdle with the pectoral fins compared to
the
pelvic girdle with the pelvic fins.
 The pectoral girdle is not attached to the vertebral column of the shark. The coracoid bar
is essentially the median portion of the girdle and vides the bases of the two pectoral fins.
On each side of the coracoid bar are long extensions called the scapular processes with
suprascapular cartilages at each end. Between the scapular processes and the coracoid bar
is the glenoid region of the pectoral girdle which consists of 3 foramina for branchial
artery and nerve. The pectoral fins contain pterygiophore cartilages and further
subdivided into proximal basals and distal radials. Starting with the basals, the
metapterygium is the innermost and largest one among the three. Nex is the propterygium
which is the outermost basal and lastly, the mesopterygium which is located in the
middle. The radials are divided into the proximal, medial, and distal radials but they are
collectively known as the somactidia.

The pelvic girdle consists of a rod-like structure in the middle which is called the ischio-pubic
bar. Like the coracoid bar, it divides the two pelvic fins. It consists of lateral extensions called
the iliac processes and at the bases of these processes are the fins. The structure of the pelvic fins
are similar to that of pectoral fins. The basipterygium is a basal cartilage that extends along the
border of the fin and these fins are supported by fin rays connected to the somactidia which are
rod-like cartilages called radials.
Pectoral fins and pelvic fins differ in function. While pectoral fins are mostly used for direction
purposes, pelvic fins are used for buoyancy. Though both the pectoral and the pelvic fins share
the same cartilaginous properties and dermal fin rays, the pelvic fins consist of a clasper. The fin
is modified into this male part found in sharks that starts after the distal end of the basipterygium
and extends all the way down. It functions in copulation where the semen is delivered through
the clasper into the female shark’s cloaca.

References:
https://inside.ucumberlands.edu/academics/biology/faculty/kuss/courses/skeletal
%20system/skullChondrichthtyes.htm
https://www.notesonzoology.com/phylum-chordata/dogfish/endoskeleton-of-dogfish-scoliodon-
with-diagram-chordata-zoology/7494
http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/342notes2.htm