Key to the Families of Marine, Estuarine, and Freshwater Bony Fishes of the Southeastern United States

These flashcards cover key classification features and characteristics of various fish families found in the southeastern United States, as outlined in lecture notes.

What indicates the presence of pelvic fins in fish families according to the notes?

Pelvic fins are marked as present or absent, determining the classification of various fish families.

What is the significance of an adipose fin according to the fish families classification?

The presence of an adipose fin behind the single, rayed dorsal fin distinguishes certain fish families from others.

Which family is characterized by having long barbels about the mouth and nostrils?

ICTALURIDAE and ARIIDAE are characterized by having 4 to 8 long barbels about the mouth and nostrils.

What distinguishes the family ARGENTINIDAE from others in the classification?

The family ARGENTINIDAE is distinguished by having a naked head.

What defines the family ALEPISAURIDAE in relation to its dorsal fin?

The family ALEPISAURIDAE has a very long and high dorsal fin occupying nearly the whole length of the back.

What are the key features of bodies in the family MYCTOPHIDAE?

The key features include a body oblong and the presence of conspicuous photophores.

Which family exists mainly outside the 200 m bottom contour according to the notes?

Families marked with a * occur mainly outside the 200 m bottom contour.

What does the presence of pseudobranchiae indicate in fish classification?

Pseudobranchiae presence is a key feature in differentiating several fish families.

What distinguishes the body structure of AULOPIDAE from GONOSTOMATIDAE?

AULOPIDAE features a well-developed maxilla dilated behind, while GONOSTOMATIDAE has a not entirely margin-forming premaxilla.

Which family is noted for a tubular snout and short jaws?

The family MACRORAMPHOSIDAE is characterized by having a tubular snout bearing short jaws.

ICTALURIDAE

Characterized by having 4 to 8 long barbels about the mouth and nostrils.

ARIIDAE

Characterized by having 4 to 8 long barbels about the mouth and nostrils.

ARGENTINIDAE

Distinguished by having a naked head.

ALEPEISAURIDAE

Has a very long and high dorsal fin occupying nearly the whole length of the back.

MYCTOPHIDAE

Key features include a body oblong and the presence of conspicuous photophores.

AULOPIDAE

Features a well-developed maxilla dilated behind.

GONOSTOMATIDAE

Has a not entirely margin-forming premaxilla.

MACRORAMPHOSIDAE

Characterized by having a tubular snout bearing short jaws.