Marine Science Final Study Guide

What are the 4 general characteristics of all chordates?

Notochord, dorsal nerve cord, gills, tail

What are the general characteristics of a lamprey?

No jaw, no pectoral or pelvic fins, notochord is never replaced by a backbone, eel-like bones, no scales, circular mouth with teeth

What are the general characteristics of cartilaginous fish?

Cartilaginous skeleton, biting jaws with true teeth, 5-7 gill slits with no operculum, lateral line, no swim bladder

What are some similarities and differences between bony and cartilaginous fish?

Gill slits, pectoral fins, two chambered heart

What are some adaptations of bony fish?

Coloration, operculum

How do freshwater and saltwater fish osmoregulate?

Saltwater fish drink sea water and excrete excess salt through their gills, and freshwater fish drink very little water and urinate a lot of dilute urine

What are some examples of marine reptiles?

Turtles, iguanas, sea snakes, crocodiles, alligators and caymen

What are some examples of marine birds?

Penguin, seagull, albatross, plover, frigate birds, gobies, puffins, skuas

What are the general characteristics of marine birds?

Heavier skeletons, 4 chambered heart, beak, lungs

What are the general characteristics of marine reptiles?

Dry skin, raised scales, internal fertilization, mainly oviparous, cold blooded, 4 chambered hearts, beaks, lungs, cloacal breathing

Who is Myrtle the turtle?

A very old green turtle at the New England Aquarium

What are the major characteristics of marine mammals?

Hair/fur and mammary glands, warm blooded, lungs, most are viviparous (except monotremes)

Who belongs to each order of marine mammals?

Cetaceans: whales, dolphins, porpoises, Sirens: manatee and dugong, Carnivora: polar bear and sea otter

What was the evolution of marine mammals?

Evolved on land first, eventually went back to the sea

How many toothed whale species are there?

65

How many baleen whale species are there?

10

What are some examples of toothed whales?

Orca, dolphins, porpoises, sperm whale, narwhal, beaked whale

What are some examples of baleen whales?

Right whale, minke whale, blue whale, humpback whale, gray whale, bowhead whale

What are the migration patterns of different whales?

They can migrate up to thousands of miles per year for breeding

What are the general characteristics of toothed whales?

Cone shaped teeth, one blowhole

What are the general characteristics of baleen whales?

Keratin plates, skimmers or gulpers

How is baleen used commercially?

What are the differences between seals and sea lions?

What are the characteristics of walruses?

What are the characteristics of sea otters?

What are the characteristics of polar bears?