Results for “sp.”

Cnidaria

Phylum of aquatic organisms that includes the corals, jellyfishes, sea anemones, hydrae, etc., and characterised by possession of specialised venomous cells known as cnidocytes. Formerly included in the now-defunct phylum Coelenterata.

commensal

Of, relating to, characterised by or participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species gains some benefit while the other is unaffected.

competition

Simultaneous demand by two or more organisms for a limited resource such as food, light or living space.

Used in 16 profiles

conspecific

Of or belonging to the same species.

Used in 556 profiles

costiasis

Disease of freshwater fishes caused by species of parasitic flagellate protozoa from the genus Ichthyobodo and more accurately referred to as ichthyobodiosis. It attacks the gills, fins and skin with symptoms including an increase body mucus secretion giving rise to the vernacular term 'skin slime disease'. Can be treated using proprietary products but frequently fatal otherwise.

courtship

Any behavioural interaction between male and female individuals which leads to or initiates spawning.

Used in 264 profiles

courtship ritual

Complex, genetically-determined sequence of behaviour, usually employing a combination of visual, auditory and chemical stimuli taking place before spawning. Either or both sexes may be the protagonist.

Used in 2 profiles

crossbreed

An organism with parents of two different breeds, races, varieties, or species; the process involved in producing such an organism.

Used in 2 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

cubic centimeter

A measurement of liquid, equivalent to a cube 1cm on each side (US spelling). Also known as a millilitre, since as it is one thousandth of a litre.

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

decapod

Any member of the crustacean order Decapoda, comprising species possessing 5 pairs of jointed, thorassic limbs such as crabs, crayfish, lobsters and shrimp. Also used historically in reference to molluscs of the Cephalopod superorder Decapodiformes, members of which have 8 short limbs plus 2 longer tentacles and include cuttlefish and squid.

deionisation

Purification process, often abbrevaited to DI, by which mineral ions are removed from water, usually via ion exchange over a specialised type of resin. The process does not remove non-ionic molecules thus organic cells such as bacteria tend to remain. Often used in conjunction with reverse osmosis to produce more-or-less pure water which normally requires a degree of remineralisation before being used in aquaria.

dentition

The arrangement, type, and number of the teeth in a particular species

Used in 60 profiles

depensation

Reduction in breeding population size leading to reduced fecundity in the overall population or stock of a species.

derived

Used in phylogenetics in reference to a character or character state not present in the ancestral form of a species; apomorphic.

Used in 190 profiles

description

Used in ichthyology in reference to a written description of a new species, usually in the form of a scientifically-published paper though many have been also appeared in aquarium literature, particularly in the late twentieth century. Also referred to as 'type description' or 'original description'.

Used in 283 profiles

dichotomous key

Species identification key comprising pairs of alternative choices arranged in a series of couplets, used commonly in ichthyological papers.

dimorphism

In biology, the occurrence within a species of two forms which differ distinctly from one another in one or more characters, e.g., colour pattern or morphology.

Used in 2 profiles