Glossary

97 terms beginning with B · showing 1–40

1. Bacillus

   Genus of Gram-positive, mostly rod-shaped, bacteria including both free-living and pathogenic species.

2. backwater

   Quiet, often stagnant body of water connected to a larger body but held back in some way, e.g. by a naturally-occurring dam or tide.

   Used in 88 profiles

3. bacteria

   Large group of prokaryotic microorganisms representing one of the three domains of living organisms. Present in the majority of Earth's habitats as well as organic matter and the bodies of live animals. Most are harmless, some beneficial and others pathogenic.

   Used in 14 profiles

4. bactericide

   An agent with the ability to destroy bacteria.

5. ball valve

   Type of shutoff valve comprising a free-floating ball with a cylindrical-shaped hole in it that sits in a concave-shaped depression over an opening.

6. bar

   Used in ichthyology to describe a vertical or diagonal marking, normally with well-defined margins, often located on the flank of a fish.

   Used in 399 profiles

7. barb

   In zoology, used to refer to a small spine projecting from a larger one; alternative name for spinule and, sometimes, barbel. Also used to refer to cyprinid fishes of the genera Barbus, Puntius, Systomus and related species.

   Used in 189 profiles

8. barbel

   A slender, whiskerlike, external process on the jaw or other part of the head of certain fishes used for touch and taste. Also used to refer to European members of the cyprinid genus Barbus.

   Used in 319 profiles

9. basal

   At, towards or constituting a base; primitive. Opposite of derived. In cladistics, used to in reference to a clade within which other clades are nested.

   Used in 92 profiles

10. base

    The bottom or lowest part of something. Biology. The point of attachment of a part or organ, e.g., a fin. Chemistry. A substance that can accept protons or donate pairs of electrons. The chemical opposite of an acid. Bases have a pH greater than 7.0 and a solution containing one or more bases is often referred to as an alkali.

    Used in 1,187 profiles

11. basibranchial

    Of, being, or relating to a median ventral cartilage or bony element located at the ventral point of a branchial arch, behind the tongue if the latter is present.

12. basibranchial teeth

    Teeth on the median ventral plate (base of the tongue) overlying the basibranchial bones between the gill arches in some fishes.

13. basic

    Of, relating to, forming, or being a base.

    Used in 77 profiles

14. basicaudal

    At or on the base of the caudal fin.

15. basicity

    Being a base, or the extent to which a substance is basic.

16. basin

    Used to denote a region drained by a single river system, e.g., the Amazon basin.

    Used in 487 profiles

17. basipterygium

    Basal bone or cartilage located at the base of the paired fins in some fishes.

    Used in 2 profiles

18. batch fecundity

    The number of eggs released by a serial spawner during a single spawning event.

19. batch spawner

    A fish species which deposite eggs on more than a single occasion throughout a particular spawning season rather than within a short period.

20. batesian mimicry

    A form of protective mimicry whereby a harmless species closely resembles an unpalatable or harmful species thus reducing the potential of predation.

21. bathybenthic

    Living on the bottom in the bathypelagic zone.

22. bathypelagic

    Of, relating to, or inhabiting the depths of the ocean, generally between 1000-4000 metres but the term is sometimes extended to include shallower zones.

23. baudelot's ligament

    Ligament, sometimes ossified, which joins the 1st centrum with the supracleithrum. Helps anchor the pectoral girdles to the sides of the fish.

    Used in 2 profiles

24. bayou

    Term used most often in the southern United States to refer to a lowland, typically sluggish or marshy, creek or small river that is a tributary of a larger system.

25. baytril

    Fluoroquinolone antibiotic effective against many aerobic bacteria, but particularly gram-negative and mycoplasma forms. Produced and marketed for veterinary use and used to treat fishes in some cases.

26. beech leaf

    Leaf of the deciduous tree genus Fagus. Dried and used in aquaria to simulate certain natural conditions, especially those typical of blackwater habitats.

    Used in 5 profiles

27. beel

    Term used in India and Bangladesh to describe a low lying, water-filled depression on a floodplain, sometimes becoming dessicated during the dry season. Also spelled 'bheel'.

    Used in 4 profiles

28. benthic

    Inhabiting or relating to the bottom of a body of water, e.g., a benthic organism.

    Used in 250 profiles

29. benthopelagic

    Used in reference to fish species living or feeding at or near the bottom of a water body. Some of these may also do so in the midwater or surface levels.

    Used in 1 profile

30. benthophagous

    Feeding on benthos.

    Used in 41 profiles

31. benthos

    Organisms existing in, on or near the bottom of a water body. Sometimes used to refer to the bottom itself.

32. Berlin method

    Method of biological filtration used in marine aquaria utilising live rock rather than a traditional, mechanical filter unit.

33. Betadine

    Brand name for a range of antiseptics containing povidone-idodine sometimes used to treat ornamental fishes.

34. bicuspid

    Having two points or cusps. Commonly used in reference to teeth.

    Used in 7 profiles

35. bifid

    Divided into two parts or lobes.

    Used in 35 profiles

36. bifurcate

    Split or divided into two forks or branches.

    Used in 14 profiles

37. bilobed

    Divided into or having two lobes.

    Used in 10 profiles

38. binomen

    A binomial name.

39. binomial name

    The two part name of a species used in zoological nomenclature comprising generic (for the genus) and specific (for the species) names which form the full scientific name when combined, e.g. Carassius auratus.

40. binomial nomenclature

    The scientific system of naming an organism using two terms, the first representing the genus and the second the species. Also referred to as 'scientific name' or, somewhat inaccurately, 'Latin name'.