Results for “vent”

cuckoldry

Behavioural strategy seen in certain nest-building fishes in which one or more males that are not an accepted part of a spawning event fertilise some eggs. Such individuals are commonly referred to as sneaker, sneaky or satellite males.

CW number

Coding system used to organise and refer to unidentified catfishes, though not necessarily undescribed or distinct species, of the genus Corydoras. Works in tandem with the similar C number system. The system was invented by Ian A. M. Fuller in reference to his website 'Corydoras World' but is now in popular use worldwide.

Used in 65 profiles

depressed

Vertically or dorsoventrally flattened.

Used in 51 profiles

dorsal-fin

Median, rayed, unpaired fin located on the dorsal surface (back) of most fishes. Its main purpose is to prevent the animal rolling and enable it to turn sharply. Some species possess more than one dorsal fin, in which case the anterior one is referred to as the first.

Used in 860 profiles

flood plain

Low plain bordering a river channel, subject to periodic flooding. Often composed of sediment deposited during previous flooding events.

Used in 10 profiles

gill raker

Any of the bony processes located on the gill arch which function to either retain food items or otherwise prevent solid matter from entering the gill chamber. Vary in number and size depending on taxon and therefore useful in identification.

Used in 88 profiles

IUCN Red List

Global inventory of the conservation status of species maintained by the IUCN.

Used in 19 profiles

native species

Species occurring in a given region or ecosystem only as a result of natural processes, with no human intervention.

Used in 12 profiles

natural selection

Term introduced by Charles Darwin referring to the nonrandom mechanism of evolution by which certain biological traits become either more or less common in a population due to differential, environmentally-influenced reproduction. Better-adapted individuals tend to produce more offspring, thus the population evolves, and this process can result in populations that gradually become specialised to inhabit particular ecological niches and can eventually result in the emergence of new species.

nomenclature

Branch of taxonomy concerned with the application of scientific names to taxa, based on a particular classification scheme and in accordance with agreed international rules and conventions.

Used in 5 profiles

osmoregulation

Active regulation of osmotic pressure, especially in the body of a living organism or cell, in order to prevent the body fluids from becoming too diluted or concentrated.

oviposit

To deposit an egg during a spawning event,

paired fins

The pectoral and pelvic/ventral fins, both of which occur in pairs and are analogous to the fore and hind limbs in higher animals.

Used in 58 profiles

paleogeography

Study of the geography of ancient times or epochs, often in relation to geological events.

peat

A compressed accumulation of partially-decomposed, chiefly vegetable matter typically found in certain marshes, bogs, and peat swamp forests throughout the world. It forms via breakdown of various plants and other organic materials in water when full decomposition is prevented due to localised acidic, anaerobic conditions. As a result of this somewhat specific nature the organisms inhabiting peaty environments are often stenotypic and found nowhere else. Peat can be used as a fuel when dried and thus has industrial importance in some countries. Also used in aquaria, especially in order to simulate blackwater habitats, either in pure, artificially-granulated or liquid extract form.

Used in 268 profiles

phenology

Study of periodic events in the life cycle of organisms and their relationship with seasonal and interannual climatic changes, e.g., migration.

quarantine

Period of isolation, often enforced post-import or purchase of new fish(es) in aquaria, in order to prevent transmission of pathogens or parasites.

Used in 14 profiles

refugium

A region that has remained unaltered by a climatic change event and provides an area where relict species are able to survive; in aquaria the term is used to describe an aquarium or other container maintained within a larger system, usually displayed alongside or beneath it, where certain organisms that would not survive in the main aquarium can be maintained.

species

Taxonomic rank into which a genus is divided, but otherwise difficult to delineate precisely with a single definition satisfying all eventualities still lacking to date. There exist a number of concepts of which the most popular in vertebrate taxonomy include the biological species concept and phylogenetic species concept.

Used in 1,790 profiles

stressor

Chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or event that causes stress to an organism.

Used in 1 profile