Ichthyology Identification Practice ((First Set of Flashcards))

Class & Family? (No oral disk, eyes vestigial/underdeveloped, mouth with 3-4 pairs of barbels, dorsal fin absent, no paired fins, 1-15 gill openings on each side of head)

Myxini, Myxinidae

Class & Family? (Caudal and dorsal fins well developed, Kidney-shaped electric organ on each side of the head, Oval body shape with smooth skin)

Chondrichthyes, Torpedinidae

Class & Family? (Small but distinct dorsal fin present, Caudal fin absent, Head distinct and elevated from disc, Most species with 1 or more spines on tail)

Chondrichthyes, Myliobtidae

Class & Family? (Rough dorsal surface, Small caudal fin, Caudal spines lacking, Tail thick, not whip-like, and usually with at least

one fin, Similar to stingrays in appearance)

Chondrichthyes, Rajidae

Class & Family? (Strongly pronounced spine at front of each dorsal fin, Well-developed spiracles, Anal fin absent, Caudal peduncle with a pair of lateral keels)

Chondrichthyes, Squalidae

Class & Family? (Thin, whip-like tail with one or more barbed spines, Caudal fin absent, Disc not more than 1.3 times as broad as long)

Chondrichthyes, Dasyatidae

Class & Family? (Upper pre-caudal pit present, Spiracles usually absent, First dorsal fin anterior to pelvic fins)

Chondrichthyes, Rhinobatidae

Class & Family? (Flattened and laterally elongated heads, Spiracles absent)

Chondrichthyes, Sphyrnidae

Class & Family? (Fourth and fifth gill slits almost overlapping, 2 spineless dorsal fins, Spiracles smaller than the eyes, Nostrils with short to moderately long barbels)

Chondrichthyes, Ginglymostomatidae

Class & Family? (Rostrum short, fleshy, and rounded, Large spine in front of dorsal fin (poison gland), Prominent lateral line, No scales)

Chondrichthyes, Chimaeridae

Class & Family? (Upper pre-caudal pit present, Spiracles usually absent, First dorsal fin anterior to pelvic fins)

Chondrichthyes, Carcharhinidae

Class & Family? (Moderately elongated body, Fleshy paired appendages)

Sarcopterygii, Lepidosirenidae