Ichthyology Lab Review: Fish Taxonomy and Anatomy

Flashcards testing knowledge of fish taxonomy, orders, diagnostic morphological features, and specimen identification based on the lecture material.

What key anatomical traits characterize lancelets (Subphylum Cephalochordata, Order Amphioxiformes)?

Presence of a notochord and dorsal nerve cord, with no skull or vertebral column.

What subphylum, class, and order are represented by the lancelet specimens shown in this image?

Subphylum Cephalochordata, Class Leptocardii, Order Amphioxiformes (Family Branchiostomatidae).

What morphological characteristics distinguish hagfishes (Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes)?

Sticky slime production, scaleless skin, external gill openings, and slime-sac pores surrounding the entire body.

Identify the classification and visible features of the hagfish specimen shown.

Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes, Family Myxinidae; visible features include pores all around the body and a caudal fin.

What oral structures are shown on this sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) specimen?

A central mouth surrounded by a buccal funnel with sharp, horn-like teeth.

What general characteristics define Class Hyperoartia (lampreys)?

Presence of a cranium, a jawless cartilaginous skeleton, and an often parasitic lifestyle.

What taxonomic group and anatomical features are shown in this ratfish specimen?

Subclass Holocephali, Order Chimaeriformes; features include 2 nostrils, a mouth, and a single external gill opening on each side with an operculum (flap).

What diagnostic traits belong to guitarfishes (Order Rhinopristiformes, Family Rhinobatidae)?

5-7 gill slits without a protective cover, placoid scales, and spiracles near the eyes that allow breathing on the sea floor.

Based on this anatomical diagram, where are the spiracles and gill slits located relative to the body surfaces?

Spiracles are located on the dorsal view near the eyes, while gill slits are located on the ventral view.

Identify the fins and sensory structures visible on the dorsal surface of this skate specimen (Order Rajiformes).

Pectoral fins, pelvic fins, eyes, and spiracles.

Which order does the stingray belong to, and what specialized tail structure is highlighted in the specimen?

Order Myliobatiformes; features a stinger on the tail.

What are the key traits of bamboo sharks (Order Orectolobiformes)?

Claspers on pelvic fins, facial barbels, two spineless dorsal fins, five pairs of gill slits, and a heterocercal caudal fin.

Which order and family are represented by the dogfish shark, and what fin structures are labeled in the image?

Order Squaliformes, Family Squalidae (dogfish shark); labeled structures are the pectoral fin and pelvic fin.

What are two key anatomical differences between Anguilliformes and both Dipnoi and Polypteriformes?

1) Dipnoi and Polypteriformes have lungs, while Anguilliformes have swim bladders; 2) Dipnoi and Polypteriformes have pelvic fins, whereas Anguilliformes lack pelvic fins.

Which subclasses of Class Sarcopterygii are shown, and what caudal fin type do they share?

Subclass Actinistia (coelacanths) and Subclass Dipnoi (lungfishes); both share a diphycercal caudal fin.

What anatomical characteristics are associated with sturgeons (Subclass Chondrostei, Order Acipenseriformes)?

Mostly cartilaginous skeleton, heterocercal caudal fin, barbels, scutes (bony scales), and an elongated rostrum.

Identify the order and fin features displayed on the bichir specimen shown.

Order Polypteriformes; features ganoid scales, dorsal finlets, pelvic fin, anal fin, and a diphycercal caudal fin.

What order and diagnostic features belong to the gar specimen shown in the image?

Order Lepisosteiformes (Infraclass Holostei); features elongated jaws with sharp teeth, bony ganoine scales, operculum, pectoral fin, and anal fin.

What key features identify the bowfin (Order Amiiformes)?

A long dorsal fin, an eye spot (ocellus), and cycloid-like scales.

What fin arrangement is displayed by Order Anguilliformes (morays/eels) in this image?

Continuous dorsal, caudal, and anal fins, with no pelvic fin.

Which order does the sea catfish belong to, and what structures are pointed out in this top-view image?

Order Siluriformes; labeled structures include barbels, spiny dorsal fin, dorsal fin, and caudal fin.

Which structures are labeled on the lateral view of this catfish specimen?

Operculum, pectoral fin, and pelvic fin.

What anatomical traits characterize Order Cypriniformes (carps and minnows)?

Pharyngeal teeth in the throat, a single long dorsal fin, and a homocercal caudal fin.

What defines a homocercal caudal fin in teleosts?

It appears symmetrical on the outside, but its internal bone structure is asymmetrical to propel fast forward movement.

What order and specialized swimming adaptations belong to the barracuda specimen in the image?

Order Istiophoriformes; fast-swimming adaptations including an elongated upper jaw (rostrum) and streamlined dorsal and anal fins.

What is the scientific name and order of the Rio Grande Cichlid shown in this jar specimen?

Herichthys cyanoguttatus, belonging to Order Cichliformes (Family Cichlidae).

What features are characteristic of Order Cichliformes?

Protrusible jaw, single pair of nostrils (often), and frequent adaptive radiations.

Identify the order and highlighted fin structure for the longear sunfish shown.

Order Centrarchiformes; highlighted structure points to the pelvic fins.

What order does the walleye belong to, and what fins are indicated on its body?

Order Perciformes; indicated fins are the spiny dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin.

What order do puffers belong to, and what modified jaw bone and defense mechanism do they possess?

Order Tetraodontiformes; possess a bird-like beak ("four-toothed bone") to crush hard-shelled prey and inflate their body as a defense mechanism.

What specific dorsal structure serves as a defense mechanism in triggerfishes (Family Balistidae)?

A dorsal fin spine that functions as a locking mechanism.

What is the scientific name and family of the Mandarin Dragonet shown in this jar?

Synchiropus splendidus, belonging to Family Callionymidae (Order Syngnathiformes).

How do wrasses (Order Labriformes) propel themselves through tropical coral reefs?

By flapping their pectoral fins to swim.

What upper jaw limitation affects flying fish (Order Beloniformes) during their halfbeak growth phase?

They cannot protrude their upper jaw and must suck in food.