Marine Biology: Marine Fishes & Seabirds

Flashcards covering key concepts related to marine biology, specifically marine fishes and seabirds.

Swim Bladder

A gas-filled organ that allows bony fish to control buoyancy.

Cartilaginous Fishes

Fishes such as sharks and rays that have skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone.

Ampullae of Lorenzini

Special structures in sharks that detect electric fields in the water.

Sphenisciformes

The seabird order that includes penguins.

Procellariiformes

A group of seabirds known for possessing large external nostrils for smell.

Sequential Hermaphroditism

A reproductive strategy where an individual can change sex during its life.

Protandry

A form of sequential hermaphroditism where individuals start as males and can change to females, e.g., clownfish.

Protogyny

A form of sequential hermaphroditism where individuals start as females and can change to males, e.g., wrasses.

Threats to Seabird Populations

Major threats include habitat loss and climate change, impacting seabird survival and reproduction.

Feeding Behavior and Beak Shape

The shape of a seabird's beak can indicate its feeding habits, e.g., long, narrow beaks for probing versus broad beaks for surface feeding.