Glossary

dorsal

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Of, toward, on, in, or near the back or upper surface of an organism or part.

Used in 669 species profiles

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Related terms

adipose crest
Fatty ridge of flesh extending along the dorsal or ventral surface of the caudal peduncle in certain fishes, e.g., some Schistura spp.
body depth
The vertical distance between the dorsal and ventral margins of the body measured at the base of the pectoral fin where it joins the body. In most icthyological works the greatest dimension, normally anterior to the dorsal fin, is taken but in some cases body depth is measured at the origin of pectoral, pelvic and first anal. Fins or fin bases are not included in the measurement, however.
caudal peduncle
The typically narrow section of the body located between the posterior of the dorsal and anal fins and caudal fin origin. Its depth is measured vertically at the narrowest point.
cleithral spot
Variably-sized (depending on species), usually dark marking present in the cleithral area dorsal to the pectoral fin insertion. Normally visible externally in llive specimens.
dorsolateral
Positioned or orientated between the dorsal and lateral surfaces.
dorsoventral
Positioned or orientated between the dorsal and ventral surfaces.
epaxial
Above, or on the dorsal side of, the axis of the skeleton.
epaxial lobe
Section of the caudal fin located between the base and dorsal margin.
epibranchial organ
Present in some microphagous fishes and comprises a paired dorsal diverticulum located towards the posterior of the pharynx. In the majority of species it's divided into two sections by additional gill rakers which trap small food particles.
epural
Located on the dorsal side of the caudal fin; elongate bone which supports the caudal fin rays, positioned above the urostyle and posterior to the last neural spine.
neural arch
A bony or cartilaginous arch-shaped structure arising from the dorsal side of a vertebra and enclosing the spinal cord.
notal
Of or relating to the back; dorsal.
parhypural
The most posterior hemal arch with an open canal through which the dorsal aorta passes.
predorsal scale
Any of the scales lying on the dorsal midline between the back of the skull and insertion/origin of the dorsal fin.
principle caudal-fin rays
Fin rays forming the dorsal or ventral margins of the caudal fin, supported by the supported by the hypural and parahypural.
rostral spine
Median dorsal structure located on the snout in certain fishes.
transverse scale row
Number of scales in the diagonal row between the orgins of dorsal and anal fins in a fish specimen, excluding the lateral line scales.
unpaired fins
The dorsal, caudal, anal and, if present, adipose fins.
vertical fin
Unpaired, median fin, i.e., dorsal, caudal, adipose and anal fins.

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