Examples of hagfish in the following topics:
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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.
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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.
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Abducens (VI) Nerve
- Homologous abducens nerves are found in all vertebrates except lampreys and hagfishes.