Elasmobranchii () is a
subclass of
Chondrichthyes or cartilaginous fish. Members of this subclass are characterised by having five to seven pairs of
gill clefts opening individually to the exterior, rigid
dorsal fins and small
placoid scales on the skin. The upper jaw is detached from the cranium and the teeth are in several series. The lower jaw articulates with the upper jaw in several different ways that are characteristic of the different
clades. The pelvic fins in males are modified to create
claspers for the transfer of sperm. There is no swim bladder, instead these fish maintain buoyancy with large livers rich in oil.