# acanthopterygian

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acanthopterygian
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a type of fish that has bony plates on its body and a skeleton made of bone. These fish are usually found in the ocean and are related to modern sharks and rays.

For teachers: a group of extinct marine vertebrates characterized by a bony skeleton and the presence of dermal denticles or scales. Often used in paleontological contexts to describe early jawed fish.

## Examples

- The fossil of an acanthopterygian was found in the limestone.
- Paleontologists study acanthopterygian fossils to understand the evolutionary transition from jawless to jawed vertebrates.
- The discovery of a well-preserved acanthopterygian specimen provided critical evidence for the development of bony armor in early marine life during the Silurian period.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.