Ichthyology terms 4963905 202898676 2008-04-02T21:50:15Z 64.230.120.163 '''[[Ichthyology]]''' uses several terms that are unique to the science. For a complete Dictionary of Ichthyology see www.briancoad.com. <p> '''Contents:''' [[#A|A]] [[#B|B]] [[#C|C]] [[#D|D]] [[#E|E]] [[#F|F]] [[#G|G]] [[#H|H]] [[#I|I]] [[#J|J]] [[#K|K]] [[#L|L]] [[#M|M]] [[#N|N]] [[#O|O]] [[#P|P]] [[#Q|Q]] [[#R|R]] [[#S|S]] [[#T|T]] [[#U|U]] [[#V|V]] [[#W|W]] [[#X|X]] [[#Y|Y]] [[#Z|Z]] __NOTOC__ </p> == A == * Abdomen: belly * Abdominal: pertaining to the belly * Actinosts: a series of bones at the base of the pectoral rays. * Acuminate: tapering gradually to a point * Acute: sharp, pointed * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Adipose fin]]: a small fleshy fin which lacks fin rays. * Adnate: joined together * Adpressed: pressed against the body * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Anal fin]]: the fin on the median line behind the vent * Anal fin origin: the most anterior point of the anal fin base * [[Andropodium]]: a modification of the anal fin of males of certain live-bearing species in the family [[Goodeidae]]. It is used to transfer reproductive products to the female during mating. * Ankylosed: grown firmly together * Anterior: relating to the front portion * Antrose: turned forward * Approximate: placed close together * Asperity: roughness of surface * Asymmetrical: without symmetry * Attenuate: tapering to a point, usually in reference to a tail * Axillary: pertaining to the axilla or upper angle of the pectoral fin * Axillary process: an enlarged, pointed scale projecting from the insertion of the pectoral or pelvic fin.) == B == * [[Barbel (anatomy)|Barbel]]: an elongated fleshy projection, usually about the head * Basal: pertaining to the base, at the base * Base: the part of a projection, (commonly a fin), which is connected to the body * [[Pelagic zone|Bathypelagic]]: living at a depth between 1000 m and 4000 m, but well off the bottom * [[Benthic zone|Benthic]]: bottom-dwelling, living on the sea bed * Benthopelagic: pertaining to fishes that swim just above the seabed at depths below about 200 m (the edge of the continental shelf) * Bicuspid: having two cusps or points * Bifid: cleft in two * Bifurcate: forked, or divided into two parts or branches * Branchial: pertaining to the gills * Branchial aperture: the gill opening * Branchiostegals, Branchiostegal ray(s): bony rays supporting the gill membranes behind the lower jaw * Bristle: a stiff hair-like projection * Buckler: a bony shield * Bycatch: species other than the target species that are caught incidentally in a trawl == C == * Caniniform: shaped like a canine tooth, conical in form * Carapace: a horny or bony covering encasing the body * Carinate: keeled, having a ridge along the middle line * Caruncle: a fleshy outgrowth * Caudal: pertaining to the tail * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Caudal fin]]: the tail fin * [[Fish anatomy|Caudal peduncle]]: the region of the body between the end of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin * Ciliated: fringed with eyelash-like projections * Cirri: small, thin appendages, often subdivided into branches. * Cirrus: singular of cirri (see above) * [[Fish anatomy#Internal_fertilization|Claspers]]: the external reproductive organs of male sharks, rays and chimaeras * Coalesced: grown together * Compressed: flattened laterally * Confluent: joined together * Conical: cone shaped, with a cylindrical base and a pointed tip * Corselet: a scaly covering behind the pectorals of some fishes * [[Countershading]]: body colouration which is dark above and lighter below * Crenulate: having the edge slightly scalloped * Cutaneous: pertaining to the skin * [[Fish anatomy#Skin|Ctenoid]]: rough-edged (referring to scales) * [[Fish anatomy#Skin|Cycloid]]: smooth-edged (referring to scales) == D == * Deciduous: temporary, falling off * Demersal: living on or near the sea bed * Dendritic: resembling a tree or shrub * Denature: the "unfolding" of a protein resulting in a lessening of its biological properties. In the case of some fish toxins, denaturing with hot water can lessen painful symptoms. * Dentate: with tooth-like projections * Denticle, denticulate: a little tooth, having an edge with small projecting teeth, the placoid scales of cartilaginous fishes * Depressed: flattened from top to bottom * Dermal: pertaining to the skin * Dewlap: a fold of loose skin * Disc: the flattened head and body of various fishes such as stingrays, which also commonly includes the pectoral and ventral fins * Distal: remote from the point of attachment * Dorsal: pertaining to the back * Dorsum: the upper (dorsal) surface of the head or body * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Dorsal fin]]: the fin on a fish's back * Dorsal fin origin: the most anterior point of the dorsal fin base == E == * Elasmobranchs: cartilaginous fishes - sharks, rays and allies * Electrocyte: a cell that generates electricity * Elongate: extended, drawn out * Emarginate: with the margin slightly hollowed * Endemic: restricted to a particular region, for example endemic to Australia * Entire: with a smooth margin * Epibenthic: referring to organisms living on the bottom surface * [[Pelagic zone|Epipelagic]]: referring to organisms living in the region between the surface and 200 m depth * Erectile: capable of being raised or erected, often referring to spines * [[anglerfish|Esca]]: the lure or "bait" on the end of the illicium of some anglerfishes and relatives * Estuarine: living in estuaries == F == * Falcate: scythe-shaped, long, narrow, and curved * Falciform: curved like a scythe * Filament: a slender or thread-like structure * Filiform: thread-like * Fimbriate: fringed at the margin * Finfold: embryonic tissue which develops into a fin * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Finlet]]: a small fin, positioned behind the dorsal or anal fins, that is supported by a ray or rays * Fluviatile: living in rivers * Free rear tips (of fins): the posterior tip of the fin that is closest to the most posterior point of the fin base * Frontal ridge: a ridge running along the top of the head along the midline * Furcate: forked * Fusiform: tapering towards both ends == G == * [[Fish anatomy#Skin|Ganoid scales]]: Armor-like scales coated with ganoin found in gars and bichirs. * Genital papilla: a small, fleshy tube behind the anus in some fishes, from which the sperm or eggs are released; the sex of a fish often can be determined by the shape of its papilla. * Gill arches: the bony arches to which the gills are attached * Gill cover: or bony flap that covers the gills, the operculum * Gill filaments: a series of projections along the posterior edge of the gill arch, the site of gas exchange * Gill membranes: membranes covering the gill openings, attached to the branchiostegals * Gill opening: opening behind each operculum, leading to the gills * Gill rakers: a series of appendages along the anterior edges of the gill arches * [[Gill]]s, Branchiae: organs for breathing the air contained in water * Glossohyal: the tongue bone * [[Gonopodium]]: a modification of the anal fin of males of certain live-bearing species in the families [[Anablepidae]] and [[Poeciliidae]]. It is used to transfer reproductive products to the female during mating. * Gravid: Sexually ripe * Gular region: pertaining to the region behind the chin and between the sides of the lower jaw == H == * Head length: the distance from the tip of the snout (or upper lip) to the most posterior point of the opercular margin * [[Homology (biology)|Homology]]: similarity of features based on common evolutionary descent * Hyperostosis: a condition resulting in enlargement of areas of bone. * Hyaline: translucent or transparent * Hypural joint: the joint between the caudal fin and the last of the vertebrae * Hypural plate: the flattened bony plate at the posterior end of the vertebral column, formed from parts of the posterior vertebrae. == I == * Ichthyoplankton: fish eggs and larvae * [[anglerfish|Illicium]]: a "fishing rod-like" appendage on the head, usually a modified dorsal fin spine * Imbricate: overlapping, like the shingles on a roof * Incised: with a notched margin (often referring to fin membranes) * Incisors: the front or cutting teeth * Inferior: pertaining to the lower side (usually of the head) * Interdorsal: between the dorsal fins * Interorbital: the space between the orbits * Intromittent organ: a structure to facilitate sperm transfer in some internally fertilizating species * Iris lappet: a fleshy flap or lobe-like structure in the eye, short and rounded, simple or multiply branched. * Isthmus: the fleshy projection of the body separating the gill openings == J == * Jugular: pertaining to the throat * Juxtaposed: placed near together == K == * Kidneys: organs involved in excretion and regulation of water balance == L == * Lanceolate: spear-shaped, gradually tapering toward the extremity * Labial: pertaining to the lips * Labial furrows: shallow grooves around the lips * Labial papillae: small fleshy projections around the lips * Lateral: at or toward the side * [[Lateral line]]: a series of muciferous tubes forming a raised line along the side of the body * Leptocephalic: tallness and narrowness of the skull - in fish usually refers to "elongate highly compressed transparent, ribbon-like larval stage" (source FishBase glossary) * Liver: a digestive and storage organ * Longitudinal series (scales): the number of scale rows above the lateral line from the first pored lateral line scale to the caudal fin base. * Lunate: shaped like a crescent moon, with long upper and lower lobes == M == * Maxilla, Maxillary: the upper jaw, or pertaining thereto * Maxillae, Maxillaries: the hindmost bones of the upper jaw; preceded by the premaxillaries * Median, medially: pertaining to the middle * Median fins: fins located on the median line of the fish; the dorsal, anal and caudal fins * Mediolateral: between the middle and the sides * Mesocoracoid: a bone of the pectoral arch or shoulder girdle * [[Pelagic zone|Mesopelagic]]: refers to the region of the open ocean between 200 m and 1000 m in depth * Mesopelagic fishes: fishes that live in the mesopelagic zone * Midwater: the middle stratum of water, well below the surface and well above the seabed. See also mesopelagic. * Midwater fishes: fishes that live in the midwater * Molars: blunt and rounded grinding teeth * [[Morphology (biology)|Morphology]]: form and structure of an organism * Muciferous: producing or containing mucous or slime * [[Myotome]]s: blocks of lateral trunk muscles == N == * Nape: upper surface of the body behind the head and before the dorsal fin * Nasal: pertaining to the nostrils * Nasoral: between the nostrils and mouth * Nictitating membrane: an inner eyelid * [[Notochord]]: a rudimentary of embryonic spinal column * Nuchal: pertaining to the nape == O == * Obsolete: faintly marked, scarcely evident * Obtuse: blunt * Occipital: pertaining to the posterior part of the skull * Ocellus: an eye-like spot * Ocular: pertaining to the eye * [[Odontode]]: a dermal tooth * [[Oesophagus]]: the gullet * Opercle: the large bone which forms the upper posterior part of the operculum * [[Operculum (fish)|operculum]]: the bony flap that covers the gills * Opercular: pertaining to the operculum * Opercular spine: spine projecting from the operculum (view the fish figure) * [[Orbit (anatomy)|Orbit]]: the eye socket * Origin: the most anterior point of a fin base * Osseus: bony * Ovate: egg-shaped == P == * Palate: the roof of the mouth * Palatines: the bones on each side of the palate * Papilla (papillae): a small fleshy projection(s) * Papillose: covered with papillae * Pectoral: pertaining to the breast * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Pectoral fins]]: the anterior or uppermost of the paired fins, which correspond to the anterior limbs of the higher vertebrates * Pectoral girdle: the bones to which the pectoral fin is attached * [[Peduncle]]: usually referred to as the caudal peduncle, the region of the body between the end of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin * [[Pelagic zone|Pelagic]]: living on or in the open seas * Pelvic girdle: the bones to which the ventral fins are attached * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Pelvic fins]]: paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins * Pharyngeal bones: bones behind the gills in the oesophagus or gullet * Pharyngeal teeth: teeth within the pharynx * Pharynx: the back part of the throat, into which the gill slits open * Photophore: a circular light-producing organ on the surface of a fish * [[Placoid scale]]s: Teeth-like scales found in sharks and rays. * Posterior: towards the hind end of the fish * Postorbital: behind the eye * Precaudal: anterior to the tail portion * Premaxillaries: two bones forming the front portion of the upper jaw * Preocular spine: spine positioned above and in front of the eye * Preopercle, preoperculum: the bone between the cheek and the gill cover * Preopercular spine: spine projecting from the preopercule (see preopercle) (view the fish figure) * Preorbital: the area under and in front of the eyes * Protractile: capable of extending forward * Protrusible: capable of extending forward, often referring to the jaws of fishes * Proximal: nearest * Pseudobranchiae: small gills developed on the inner side of the gill cover * Pseudoclasper: stiff ossified lobes or prongs in the tip of the intromittent organ * [[Pterygiophore]]: an internal cartilage or bone that supports a median fin ray or spine * Pyloric caecae: finger-like pouches connected with the alimentary canal (the gut) == R == * Ramus: one branch or one half of the jaw * Ray: a jointed, segmented rod which supports a fin * Retrose: turned backward * Rostrum: a projecting snout or beak * Rugose: rough == S ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Perciformes]] --> * Scalation: pertains to the pattern/arrangement/presence of scales * [[Fish anatomy#Skin|Scute]]: any external horny or bony plate * Serrate: notched like a saw * Setae: bristles or hairs * Soft dorsal: the posterior part of the dorsal fin which is composed of jointed rays * Spatulate: shovel-like; having a broad, flat and rounded shape * Spine: a sharp projecting point; an unjointed support in the anterior portions of the dorsal and anal fins * Spinous, spiniform, spinate: spine-like or composed of spines * Spinous dorsal: the anterior part of the dorsal fin supported by spines * Spiracles: respiratory openings behind the eyes in sharks and rays * Standard length (SL): the length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior extremity of the hypurals, the expanded bones at the end of the backbone that support the caudal fin * Submarginal: almost at the edge * Suborbital: below the eye * Superior: above or on the upper surface * Supracleithrum: the bone forming a connection between the back of the skull and the pectoral girdle * Supralateral: above the side * Supramaxillary: a supplemental bone lying along the upper edge of the maxillary * Supraocular: positioned above the eye * Supraorbital: above the eye * Supraorbital tentacle: a flap or filament of skin positioned above the eye * Suprascapular: a bone uniting the shoulder girdle with the skull * Suture: the line of union of two bones or plates * [[Swimbladder]]: a sac filled with gas, lying beneath the backbone * Symphysis: point of junction of the two sides of the jaw * Symmetrical: similarly arranged on both sides == T == * [[Teleost]]: a member of Teleostei, an infraclass containing most of the [[Actinopterygii|bony fishes]] * Terminal: at the end * [[Tessellation|Tessellated]]: marked with little checks or squares, like tiles * [[Thorax|Thoracic]]: pertaining to the chest * [[Thorax]]: the chest region, just behind the head * [[Fish measurement|Total length]]: the length from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail * [[Transverse]]: crosswise * Trilobate: with three lobes * Tricuspid: with three cusps or points * Truncate: terminating abruptly, as if cut off square * Trunk: the region of a fish between the head and tail, or the last gill slit and vent * [[Tubercle]]: a small, usually hard excrescence or lump * Tubiform, tubuliform: resembling a tube * Type locality: the location from which the [[Type (zoology)|type]] specimen was collected. == U == * Undulated: waved * Urogenital papilla: a papilla through which the urinary waste and gametes leave the body == V == * Vent: the external opening of the alimentary canal, the anus * [[Anatomical terms of location#General usage|Ventral]]: pertaining to the abdominal or lower surface * [[Fish anatomy#Fins|Ventral fins]]: paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins * Vertical fins: fins on the median line of the body; the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins * [[Vestigial structure|Vestigial]]: reduced, or very poorly developed * Villiform teeth: small, slender teeth forming velvety bands * [[Vomer bone|Vomer]]: a bone forming the front part of the roof of the mouth * Vomerine teeth: teeth on the vomer (see above) == W == * [[Weberian apparatus]]: An adaptation found in [[Ostariophysi]] to improve hearing; includes the Weberian ossicles. [[Category:Ichthyology]] [[Category:Fishkeeping]]