Gnathostomata

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For the echinoderm, see Gnathostomata (echinoid)

{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Gnathostomata | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | subphylum = Vertebrata | infraphylum = Gnathostomata | subdivision_ranks = Classes | subdivision =

}} Gnathostomata is the group of vertebrates with jaws.

The group is traditionally a superclass, including the familiar classes of fish, birds, and so forth, and a sister group of the jawless vertebrates Agnatha. However, recent genetic studies are causing a reassessment of Gnathostomata as a grouping.

It is assumed the jaws evolved from anterior gill support arches that had gotten a new role, being modified to pump water over the gills by open and closing the mouth more effectively. The mouth could then grow bigger and wider, making it possible to capture small prey. This close and open mechanism would with time become stronger and tougher, being transformed into real jaws. Modified dermal bones on the surface of the skin would migrate into the mouth and become primtive teeth. Placoderms used sharp bony plates as teeth instead.

Other distinguishing characteristics of living gnathostomates are the myelin sheathes of neurons, and an adaptive immune system.

For the phylogenetic tree of Gnathostomata see chordate. The traditional classes of Gnathostomata include: