Results for “várzea”

artesian well

A well, normally deep-drilled through impermeable material through which water is then rises via natural hydrostatic pressure.

Used in 1 profile

ascending process

A vertical process on the anterior part of the premaxillary bone in most teleosts.

Used in 4 profiles

aufwuchs

Adopted German term meaning 'surface growth' used to describe the aggregate of plants, animals and detritus adhering to solid surfaces such as rocks or vegetation in aquatic environments.

Used in 119 profiles

automatic top off

Automated system for adding water to an aquarium or sump in order to maintain a constant water volume. Particularly important in marine aquaria where salinity increases if water is allowed to evaporate without being replaced.

autotroph

An organism capable of synthesising its own food via inorganic light or chemical energy, e.g., green plants, algae.

axial skeleton

Skeletal bones orientated in the axial sense, comprising the neurocranium, branchial skeleton, vertebral column and intermuscular bones and ribs.

Used in 1 profile

axillary process

A modified, often elongate, scale or group of scales located at the base of the pectoral or ventral fins in some fishes.

azygos

Used in reference to an unpaired anatomical structure, e.g., an azygos vein.

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

basibranchial teeth

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

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.

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.

bioluminescence

Emission of visible light by living organisms including certain fishes.

biome

A major regional or global biotic community normally characterised by the dominant vegetation and local climatic conditions, e.g., deserts, tropical rainforests, tundra. The two major aquatic biomes are freshwater and marine but these are often broken down into less-generalised categories.

biotope aquarium

Arguably misapplied term used fashionably when describing an aquarium set up to resemble the natural habitat of specific fish(es) including replication of water chemistry, vegetation and sympatric fish species.

Used in 17 profiles

bivalve

A mollusc belonging to the class Bivalvia which includes clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, etc.. Members are characterised by possessing a shell comprising two hinged valves.

Used in 6 profiles

brown algae

Vernacular term commonly used in zoology when referring to the largely marine class Phaeophyceae which includes many seaweeds, and in the aquarium hobby to describe growths of brown, diatomic algae.

Used in 1 profile

bubble nest

Aggregation of air-filled bubbles blown via use of an oral secretion constructed by males in some fish species. Such nests usually float and sometimes contain pieces of plant material for improved solidity. Fertilised eggs are deposited and incubated inside the nest and typically guarded by the male.

Used in 27 profiles

cartilage

Specialised, toughened, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body and forming the temporary skeleton in embryonic and very young fishes, but mostly lost as the majority of species mature. Retained throughout life in cartilaginous fishes.

Used in 26 profiles

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.

Used in 394 profiles