Results for “rib”

rib

Any of a series of slender curved bones articulated to the spine in pairs, serving to protect the thoracic cavity.

Used in 50 profiles

distributary

Type of stream or river that branches off and flows away from a main channel. Particularly common in river deltas, but also occur inland in some cases.

Used in 2 profiles

tribe

In taxonomy, the group ranking below subfamily with a name typically ending in '-ini'.

Used in 167 profiles

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

RNA

Abbreviation for ribonucleic acid, a single-stranded, self-replicating genetic material comprised of a chain of nucleotides. Present in nearly all living organisms, and replaces and performs the role of DNA in some viruses. Particularly important in protein synthesis and sometimes in transmission of genetic information.

acuminate

Tapering or pointed. Used to describe the shape of the caudal fin in some fishes.

Used in 59 profiles

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.

affluent

A tributary stream or river.

Used in 58 profiles

algae crab

Loose term used to describe any type of crab useful in an aquarium because it eats algae and/or diatoms. In marine aquaria this would include Sally Lightfoot, Emerald and various species of hermit crab. In freshwater the micro-crab Limnopilos naiyanetri fills the same role.

ampullae

Used in ichthyology to describe dilations in the semicircular ear canals of some fishes.

anastomosis

The connection of separate parts of a branching system to form a network. Sometimes used to describe the process by which a relatively regular, e.g. striped, patterning in juveniles of certain fishes breaks up as they mature.

Used in 6 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

autochthonous

Originating where found; indigenous to a particular environment or distributional range; native.

Used in 1 profile

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

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.

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

biogeography

Study of the geographic distribution of plants, animals and ecosystems in both space and geological time.

Used in 13 profiles

biotope

An area of uniform environmental conditions and species distribution containing a specific assemblage of plants and animals. Similar to 'habitat' but refers to a biological community rather than a single species or population.

Used in 313 profiles

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

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