Results for “fin”

subdistal

Meaning 'below distal'; often used to refer to the position of markings in the fins of fishes.

Used in 15 profiles

teleost

Any member of the infraclass Teleostei, a large group of ray-finned fishes containing most of those with a bony skeleton.

Used in 10 profiles

total length

Straight line measurement of specimen's length taken from the tip of the snout to the tip of the longer lobe of the caudal fin, if applicable, and not taking the curve of the body into account. If the caudal lobes are of equal length they may be compressed along the midline before the measurement is taken. Abbreviated to TL.

Used in 6 profiles

trailing edge

The rear edge or margin of a moving body such as a fish fin.

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.

Used in 10 profiles

truncate

Having a blunt, square, or even end; ending abruptly as if cut off across the base or tip. Often used in reference to caudal fin shape.

Used in 103 profiles

tubercle

A small, rounded, epidermal projection or protuberance present on the head, body, or fins of some fishes. Often developing temporarily during the spawning season and/or in males only.

Used in 24 profiles

ventral disc

A sucking disc formed by the pelvic fins in certain fishes.

vertebral column

The backbone; the spine; in fishes, the vertebrae running from skull to caudal fin which protect the spinal cord and haemal artery as well as providing attachment for certain muscles used for swimming.

aff.

Abbreviation of the word 'affinis', meaning related but not identical to. Used in the fields of systematics and taxonomy when referring to undescribed specimens or populations that resemble, but are clearly different to, a described species.

artesian basin

Type of confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure.

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

biological species concept

Most popular concept of species in vertebrate zoology. Defines species as members of populations that do or potentially could interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature, regardless of appearance, therefore somewhat more restrictive than the phylogenetic species concept. In theory species are thus separated from one another by some form of reproductive isolation, though in practice this does not always hold true. Often abbreviated to BSC.

bioregion

A biological region defined by characteristics of the natural environment rather than by man-made divisions and tending to contain distinctive flora, fauna and ecosystems. Also known as 'ecoregion'.

character

In ichthyology, any characteristic or its attributes used for recognising, describing, defining, or differentiating species, genera or higher taxa. Also used in phylogenetic analyses whereby ancestral (primitive) characters are termed plesiomorphic and derived (novel) characters apomorphic.

Used in 843 profiles

crustacean

Any member of the predominantly aquatic arthropod grouping Crustacea which currently contains almost 70,000 recognised species, including all crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. It's difficult to define their characteristics since the group is of arguable hierarchical status, generally regarded to represent either a Phylum or Subphylum.

Used in 421 profiles

hierarchy

Series of ordered or groupings or rankings within a defined system. Taxonomy is a form of hierarchy as are the ranked social groupings typical of certain fish species. The latter form of social hierarchy is also known as a pecking order.

Used in 85 profiles

hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water.

hydrophobic

Lacking an affinity for water.

landlocked

Confined to inland bodies of water.

Used in 18 profiles