Deep-Sea Adaptation/ Evolutionary Trends in Fish (8)

These flashcards cover key concepts related to adaptations in deep-sea life, evolutionary trends in fish, and the classification of various fish species as discussed in the lecture.

Bioluminescence

Natural illumination found in deep-sea life, possibly for hunting, communication, or camouflage.

Actinopterygii

A class of ray-finned fishes characterized by mobile mouthparts and ossification of the internal skeleton.

Ganoid Scales

Thick, interlocking scales that provided armor in ancient fishes, later replaced by more delicate cycloid and ctenoid scales.

Chondrosteans

A group of actinopterygians with cartilaginous internal skeletons, first appearing in the Silurian Period.

Physostomous Swim Bladder

A type of swim bladder that connects to the pharynx allowing air to be replenished by gulping at the surface.

Caviar

The un-ovulated eggs from the ovaries of a female sturgeon, harvested for consumption.

Pneumatic Duct

A passage that connects the swim bladder to the pharynx in physostomous fishes.

Barbels

Worm-like sensory appendages around the mouth of sturgeons used for chemoreception.

Anadromous

Fish that migrate from the sea to freshwater tributaries to spawn.

Teleostei

A group of bony fishes that represent the most derived lineage of ray-finned fishes.

Elasmobranchs

A subclass of Chondrichthyans that includes sharks and rays, characterized by cartilaginous skeletons.

Gular Plate

A distinct bone in the lower jaw of bowfins, unique among living fish.