Question

The below characters belong to which class?

(i) Four pairs of gills covered by an operculum on each side.
(ii) Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales.
(iii) Air bladder is present which regulates buoyancy.
(iv) Mostly oviparous and development is direct.

A. Osteichthyes
B. Chondrichthyes
C. Cyclostomata
D. All of these

Answer 1

The characters mentioned in the question belong to the class Osteichthyes, which includes both ray-finned fishes and lobe-finned fishes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The characters mentioned in the question belong to the class Osteichthyes, which includes both ray-finned fishes and lobe-finned fishes. These characters are:

1. Four pairs of gills covered by an operculum on each side.
2. Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales.
3. Air bladder is present which regulates buoyancy.
4. Mostly oviparous and development is direct.

All bony fishes have these characteristics, distinguishing them from the other options mentioned in the question.