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TRUE or FALSE: All Sarcopterygian and ancient Actinopterygian fishes have functional lungs.
true
Several Sarcopterygian and ancient Actinopterygian fishes are found in water with low oxygen concentrations. What is the anatomical adaptation that allows them to survive in poorly oxygenated water?
lungs or highly vascularized swim bladders
Which type of scales are characteristic of ancient Actinopterygians?
ganoid
External fertilization is a feature of all ancient Actinopterygians. Therefore, they all must be ____________.
oviparous
What has been the main driver of overfishing and poaching for sturgeon?
demand for sturgeon roe (caviar)
Which sturgeon species are found in California?
White sturgeon,Green sturgeon
What caused a spike in sturgeon mortality in 2022 and mobilized sturgeon scientists to increase conservation action?
harmful algal bloom (HAB)
Which of the following is true about Putah Creek?
Lower Putah Creek fish habitat has degraded since 1996
After restoration of salmon spawning habitat and restoration to a more natural flow regime in Putah Creek, Chinook salmon began spawning in Putah Creek. Hitt et al. (2024) found that in subsequent years, the offspring of those salmon returned to Putah Creek to spawn. Which of the following best describes the importance of these findings?
This study demonstrates that the restoration strategies used in Putah Creek effectively allowed a salmon population to establish and complete their life cycle in the restored area.
Examples of fish sampling gear commonly used in scientific study of fishes?
trawl nets, fyke nets, electrofishers, seines, rotary screw traps
hagfish commercial use
food in korea, luxury leather goods, commercial fishery
hagfish conservation status
20% hagfish species at risk, 2 sp endangered (IUCN)
hagfish threats
overexploitation, habitat decline, bottom trawl fishing, no
Which of the following is NOT true about hagfish?
C) Hagfish only eat live prey
lamprey Morphology + Physiology
eyes only in adults, 7 gill pores, oral disc, single nostril, additional photo sensory organ
7 gill pores in lampreys
Water enters + exits via gill pores. Facilitates ‘breathing’ while feeding parasitically
lamprey oral dics
Keratinized ‘teeth’
lamprey additional photo sensory organ
pineal eye
lamprey in larval phase
freshwater, filter feed, 12+ years
lamprey reproduction
semelparous, nonmigratory/nonparisitic, freshwater
anadramodous species
marine phase in parasitic, blood feeding adults
lamprey importance
nutrient cycling, improve water quality, prey, substrate turnover
Which of the following statements are true? (Select all that apply)
A) Unlike lamprey, all hagfish live in marine environments
B) Unlike hagfish, some lamprey feed parasitically
C) Hagfish and lamprey are closely related to true eels
D) Hagfish and lamprey both use slime as a defense mechanism
A) Unlike lamprey, all hagfish live in marine environments
B) Unlike hagfish, some lamprey feed parasitically
lamprey threats
Habitat loss (Dams, Channel alteration, dredging, entrainment)
Climate change
Contaminants (Mercury, pesticides, PCBs (‘legacy’ pollutants))
Some species may be overexploited
lamprey commercial use
fisheries in alaska, russia, europe for human and sled dog food
lampreys are vulnerable to
biomagnification through blood (mercury)
West Coast Lamprey Conservation Efforts
Petition for ESA listing; increased research, passages through dams, habitat restoration, Aquaculture/artificial propagation, Translocations/reintroductions, Salvage - dredging/dewatering
PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder)
tagging for juvenile/adult lamprey. PIT-tagged fish swim past antenna, the unique tag ID is recorded
Parentage-based tagging
Genetic approach instead of a physical tag; measures success of
translocations, helps study reproductive behavior
Chondrichthyes
Sharks + Rays + Skates, chimaeras
Chondrichthyes defining features
Jaws, cartilaginous skeletons, paired fins, electroreception, no swim bladder, internal fertilization
Ampullae of Lorenzini
Network of gel-filled pores in skin, detects electric fields in water, evolved directly from the lateral line system,
Fish w/ electroreception
still have lateral line
Detects electric fields in water
Helps locate hidden/buried prey. Aids in predator avoidance. Enhances mate recognition. Helps in navigation
Evolved directly from lateral line system
Mechanoreception – detects water flow
Chimaeras Morphology + Physiology
Few scales on body. Tooth plates. Single gill opening (operculum). Deep-sea fish. bulky eyes + large heads, tapering tails,

chimera ecology
deep sea fish, internal fertilization, iteroparous, slow growth
chimera ecological importance
population control (benthic inverbebrates), integrate into benthic food webs, substrate turnover
chimera conservation status
8 at risk species, threatened by bycatch, habitat decline, low reproductive output, very low conservation effort (hard to study)
Sharks + Rays + Skates morphology
Covered in placoid scales. Serially replacing teeth. 5-7 gill openings (No operculum). Primarily marine
Which of the following is a NOT a defining characteristic of
Chondrichthyes?
A) Cartilaginous skeleton
B) Internal fertilization
C) Electroreception/Ampullae of Lorenzini
D) Double-chambered swim bladder
D) Double-chambered swim bladder
chimaera Morphology + Physiology
Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of the superclass Agnatha?
Absence of paired fins
Absence of jaws
Presence of swim bladder
Cartilaginous skeleton
Presence of swim bladder
Which of the following are examples (covered in lecture) of conservation efforts conducted for West Coast lampreys (typically Pacific lamprey)? (Select all that apply)
Salvage to prevent mortality during dewatering and/or dredging
Catch & release rules and commercial fleet restrictions
Lamprey-specific passage structures at dams
Aquaculture
Translocation and reintroductions
Requirements for specialized equipment on commercial fleets to prevent bycatch
Salvage to prevent mortality during dewatering and/or dredging
Lamprey-specific passage structures at dams
Translocation and reintroductions
Requirements for specialized equipment on commercial fleets to prevent bycatch
Which of the following is NOT true?
1.Chondrichthyes includes chimaeras (Holocephali) and sharks, skates, and rays (Elasmobranchii)
All cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) are viviparous (live birth rather than egg laying)
All cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) have ampullae of Lorenzini
Elasmobranchs are covered in placoid scales while chimaeras are mostly smooth and scaleless.
All cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) are viviparous (live birth rather than egg laying)
TRUE or FALSE. Both chimaeras and hagfish populations are threatened by bottom-trawl fishing practices.
TRUE
What is an anatomic feature that helps cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) compensate for their lack of swim bladder?
Very large, fatty liver
What is one factor that compounds the risk of extinction for most cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes)?
low reproductive rate
The broad ‘wings’ present on skates and rays are modified ___________.
pectoral fins
According to Dulvy et al. 2017, whats true about fishing bans
complete bans are appropriate for some species, but many shark species are capable of supporting a significant level of fishing if kept within science-based catch limits
Trophic cascades are a potential consequence of population decline/extinction of apex predators (like many shark species). Which of the following best describes the trophic cascade that occurs when an apex predator is removed?
Primary producer populations increase and other species decrease
Mid-level predator populations grow unchecked, and populations decline in species at lower trophic levels
Overpopulation of all species at lower trophic levels (below apex predator)
Mid-level predator populations decrease, and populations boom in species at lower trophic levels
Mid-level predator populations grow unchecked, and populations decline in species at lower trophic levels
Which of the following are features of the class Sarcopterygii (excluding tetrapods)? (Select all that apply)
cosmoid scales
fleshy, muscular fins with robust bony structure
cartilaginous skeletons
relatively low species diversity
cosmoid scales, fleshy, muscular fins with robust bony structur, relatively low species diversity
Which taxonomic group contains all cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes)
EXCEPT chimaeras?
A) Holocephali
B) Elasmobranchii
C) Galea
D) Squalea
B) Elasmobranchii
TRUE or FALSE: All Sarcopterygian and ancient Actinopterygian fishes have functional lungs.
true
Several Sarcopterygian and ancient Actinopterygian fishes are found in water with low oxygen concentrations. What is the anatomical adaptation that allows them to survive in poorly oxygenated water?
lungs or highly vascularized swim bladders
Which type of scales are characteristic of ancient Actinopterygians?
ganoid
External fertilization is a feature of all ancient Actinopterygians. Therefore, they all must be ____________.
oviparous
What has been the main driver of overfishing and poaching for sturgeon?
demand for sturgeon roe (caviar)
Which sturgeon species are found in California?
White sturgeon,Green sturgeon
What caused a spike in sturgeon mortality in 2022 and mobilized sturgeon scientists to increase conservation action?
harmful algal bloom (HAB)
Which of the following is true about Putah Creek?
Lower Putah Creek fish habitat has degraded since 1996
After restoration of salmon spawning habitat and restoration to a more natural flow regime in Putah Creek, Chinook salmon began spawning in Putah Creek. Hitt et al. (2024) found that in subsequent years, the offspring of those salmon returned to Putah Creek to spawn. Which of the following best describes the importance of these findings?
This study demonstrates that the restoration strategies used in Putah Creek effectively allowed a salmon population to establish and complete their life cycle in the restored area.
Examples of fish sampling gear commonly used in scientific study of fishes?
trawl nets, fyke nets, electrofishers, seines, rotary screw traps
Which body plan is best for sustained high-speed swimming in open water?
fusiform
Which locomotion style is the most undulatory and involves a lot of head movement?
anguilliform
Fin rays are characteristic of which taxonomic group?
acitinopterygii
4. Whats an example of a paired fin?
pectoral
what caudal fin (tail) shape do the fastest swimming typically have?
lunate

What is the main purpose of the lateral line in fish?
to detect movements, vibrations, pressure changes in surronding water
According to Montgomery et al. 2000, What role do superficial neuromasts play in fish sensory processing?
sensing flow velocity
What is the Teleost adaptation that improves suction feeding?
protrusible jaws
In fish, what is the mechanism for gas exchange in the gills?
countercurrent exchange
What correctly describe osmoregulation in (Teleost) fishes?
Excess water diffuses from freshwater fish and must be removed as dilute urine. Marine fish must ingest/drink seawater as part of osmoregulation. Freshwater fish actively absorb salts (ions) through their gills to replace salts that diffuse out
Which of the following is NOT a life history
trait?
Color of the organism
what shape which fish species are found in certain regions?
Past volcanic eruptions, earthquake, tectonic plates shifting,
glaciation patterns, major shifts in climate, water diversions (i.e. pumping water from a river for agriculture), dams, weirs, and large waterfalls
When we use the scientific name for a species (i.e. Homo sapiens), which two levels of taxonomic classifications are included in the name?
genus + species
Which lamprey genus/(genera) is/(are) present in California?
Entosphenus and Occidentis
Why is “fish” technically not a valid taxonomic grouping?
Tetrapods (mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians) are part of the Class Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fishes), which means for fish to be a valid taxonomic unit, we would have to classify all tetrapods as fish, too.
Why do taxonomic units matter for conservation/management of fishes? (select all that apply)
different species often require different conservation actions, in order to monitor population declines, we need to first define which individuals “count” as part of the population, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires clearly defined units to legally list a species as threatened or endangered
According to Moyle 2002, zoogeographic provinces are distinct geographic regions characterized by unique, naturally occurring assemblages of native freshwater fish species.
true
How many zoogeographic provinces in California are described in the textbook Inland Fishes of California (Moyle 2002)?
6
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a major threat to native fishes in California?
competition and predation from other native species
Which of the following are major mechanisms of evolution?
natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, gene flow (migration)
Genetic drift and natural selection both relate to which genes are passed on to the next generation. Which best summarizes the difference between genetic drift and natural selection?
In genetic drift, the genes passed on are random, but in natural selection, the genes passed on are related to an individual’s fitness
Looking at Figure 2 in Val et al. 2022, which river basin has the highest species density (SD)?
Amazon
What is river capture?
When a more energetic river “steals” the headwaters of a neighboring (less energetic) stream
Which hypotheses were supported by the results of Val et al. 2022?
River Capture Hypothesis, Mega Capture Hypothesis, Intermediate Capture Rate Hypothesis
Which fish lineage appeared first in the fossil record (i.e. is the oldest)?
Agnatha
Which taxonomic class contains tetrapods?
Sarcopterygii
Which taxonomic group contains 96% of all modern fishes?
Teleostei
Which of the following are NOT considered extant representatives of ancient lineages?
salmon
Which of the following is NOT one of the top ten library resources given in our Library Session with Ruth Gustafson?
Fishipedia
major mechanisms of evolution
natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, gene flow (migration)
the difference between genetic drift and natural selection
In genetic drift, the genes passed on are random, but in natural selection, the genes passed on are related to an individual’s fitness

Looking at Figure 2 in Val et al. 2022, whats the river basin has the highest species density (SD)?
Amazon
What is river capture?
When a more energetic river “steals” the headwaters of a neighboring (less energetic) stream
hypotheses supported by the results of Val et al. 2022?
River Capture Hypothesis, Mega Capture Hypothesis, Intermediate Capture Rate Hypothesis
Which fish lineage appeared first in the fossil record (i.e. is the oldest)?
Agnatha
Which taxonomic class contains tetrapods?
Sarcopterygii
lamprey paired species concept
one Migratory + parasitic, one Non-migratory + non-parasitic