A key derived character of sharks and rays that distinguishes them from ray-finned fishes is A) jaws and a swim bladder.

B) vertebrae.

C) calcified (hard) bones.

D) a skeleton made of cartilage

Jaws and a swimming bladder

Explanation:

A defining characteristic between sharks and rays that distinguish them from ray-finned fish is the * possession of jaws in sharks * and rays; and the * possession of swimming bladder in ray-finned fishes*.

Characteristics of sharks and rays are as follows:

They are cartiiliginous fishes; they possess * strong jaws * lined with teeth; body dorsoventrally flattened, fusiform (spindle shaped) with heterocercal tail (diphycercal in Chimaeras); paired fins; * no swimming bladder or lungs*; pelvic fins in males often modified to form clappers; Gill arches internal to gills; reduced notchord; lateral-line system; paired nostrils; internal nares absent; separate sexes; internal fertilization and direct development; oviparous, oviparous, or ovoviviparous. Examples include, Spiny dog fish or dog shark, Ray Raja, Chimaera.

Characteristics of ray-finned fishses:

They generally lack paired fins; no internal nares; * air sacks usually function as swimming bladder*; skeleton usually well ossified. Blind olfactory sacs (do not open into the mouth); Tail homocercal. Examples include Tilapia, Claris, and Polypterus.