Ichthyology at UCM

Acipenser fulvescens

Lake sturgeon (unfringed barbels)

Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

Shovelnose Sturgeon (4 lobed lips curved)

Scaphirhynchus albus

Pallid Sturgeon (4 lobed lips flat)

Cypriniformes

Includes the Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Common Carp

Carassius auratus

Goldfish

Hiodon alosoides

Goldeye

Lepisosteus osseus

Longnose gar

Lepisosteiformes

Includes the Gars

Lepisosteus platostomus

Shortnose Gar

Squalus acanthias

Dogfish

Dorosoma petenense (left) and Dorosoma cepedianum (right)

Threadfin (left) and Gizzard shad (right)

Mormyridae

Elephant fish

Gular plate

The flap on the bottom jaw of some fish

Amia calva

Bowfin

Anguilla rostrata

American Eel

Polyodon spathula

American Paddlefish

Acipenseriformes

Includes the sturgeons

Engraulidae

Anchovies

Torpediniformes

Electric Ray

Chondrichthyes

A class of fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, including sharks, rays, and chimaeras.

Actinopterygii

The class of ray-finned fish, which constitutes the largest class of vertebrates and includes most bony fish.

Ganoid scales

Thick, bony, non-overlapping scales composed of ganoine, typically found in primitive fish like gars and bowfins.

Cycloid scales

Thin, flexible, overlapping scales with a smooth posterior margin, characteristic of some teleost fish.

Ctenoid scales

Thin, flexible, overlapping scales with a toothed posterior margin, characteristic of many teleost fish.

Lateral line system

A system of sense organs in aquatic vertebrates used to detect movement and vibration in water.

Pectoral fins

Paired fins located on the side of a fish, homologous to forelimbs of tetrapods, used for steering.

Pelvic fins

Paired fins located ventrally on a fish, homologous to hindlimbs of tetrapods, used for stabilization.

Terminal Mouth

A mouth located at the very end of the snout, opening forward. This type is common in fish that feed directly in front of them, often in the water column.

Superior (Upturned) Mouth

A mouth that is angled upwards, with the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw. This is characteristic of surface feeders, allowing them to easily catch prey from above.

Inferior (Subterminal) Mouth

A mouth located on the underside of the head, often with the upper jaw extending beyond the lower jaw. This type is adapted for bottom feeders that graze on the substrate.

Protrusible Mouth

A mouth that can be extended forward from the head, often forming a tube during feeding. This allows fish to quickly capture prey or filter feed by creating suction.