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Agnathans recent and fossil, and the origin of jawed vertebrates

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Summary

During the last 15 years we have gained considerably more knowledge about the anatomy, physiology and molecular sequences of the modern agnathans. This knowledge has been analysed with modern systematic techniques which provide clear, unambiguous statements of relationships. At present there is a conflict between the results obtained using morphological/physiological data and that using molecular data. During the next few years it is likely that more molecular sequences will become available for analysis. Whether this will fuel the conflict or resolve the issue remains to be seen.

The great increase in our knowledge of the diversity of fossil agnathans is continuing to provide much new anatomical information and this allows more firmly based phylogenies to be constructed. From these we may be able to delimit more precisely the course of evolutionary changes of functional systems in the early history of vertebrates.

Many of our decisions concerning primitiveness or degeneracy of the modern agnathans can be gained through study of the ontogenetic development and the variation between the ontogenies from species to species. Lampreys are relatively well known in this respect. However, we lack comparable detailed studies of the development of hagfishes. A major research field is here waiting to be reaped.

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  1. Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, London, United Kingdom

    P. L. Forey

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Forey, P.L. Agnathans recent and fossil, and the origin of jawed vertebrates. Rev Fish Biol Fisheries 5, 267–303 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043003

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