Glossary

posterior

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Located near or towards the rear end; further back in position.

Used in 394 species profiles

Related terms

anal-fin
A median, unpaired, ventral fin located between the anus and caudal fin, usually in the posterior portion of the body. Used to maintain equilibrium and stability.
anguloarticular
A compound bone formed by the fusion of the dermal angular and the cartilaginous articular and comprising the posterior part of the lower jaw.
cardioid scale
A scale possessing a distinct notch on the posterior margin.
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.
ctenoid scale
Scale type having ctenii on the posterior edge and a consequent rough texture.
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.
head length
Normally a straight-line measurement taken from the tip of the upper lip to the posterior edge of the operculum.
nape
In fishes, the part of the dorsal surface between the posterior edge of the skull and dorsal fin insertion.
opercle
Bone forming the upper, posterior portion of the operculum, sometimes bearing spines or spine-like structures. Normally the largest of the bones comprising the operculum.
parhypural
The most posterior hemal arch with an open canal through which the dorsal aorta passes.
postcleithral
Located posterior to the cleithrum.
postdorsal
Located posterior to the dorsal fin.
postoral pouch
A transverse, hollow, pouch-like structure opening anteriorly and located on the ventral surface, immediately posterior to the mouth, in some members of certain balitorid genera, e.g., Gastromyzon, Neogastromyzon.
precaudal
In front of the caudal fin or posterior end of the body.
preopercle
Bone forming the posterior and lower margins of the cheek; the anteriormost bone of the opercle. Also known as the preoperculum.
rear
To breed an organism and play some part in caring for the young.
standard length
Measurement taken from the tip of the snout to the midlateral, posterior edge of the hypural plate or posterior edge of the last vertebra, thus excluding the caudal fin. May also exclude the length of the lower jaw should it project beyond the snout. It is the standard scientific measurement used for most fish species because the caudal fin easily becomes damaged in preserved specimens. Abbreviated to SL.
urostyle
Upturned, posterior tip or backwardly-orientated process of the lower vertebral column, generally comprised of fused vertebrae; series of bones articulating with the last true vertebra; usually included when counting vertebrae.

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