Lab Practical 1 Vertebrate Zoology

What is the Superclass, Class, and then common name of this vertebrate?

Superclass Myxinomorphi

Class Myxini

Hagfish

Natural History Information for Hagfish

• Elongated, eel-like body with no fins

• Have two teeth with a terminal mouth surrounded by 6 barbels

• Secretes slime

• Lives in deep water

• Tie themselves into knots to rip flesh from carcasses

• Not great swimmers and no good vision

• Single nostril

• Entirely marine life cycle

What is the Superclass, Class, and common name of this vertebrate?

Superclass Petromyzontomorphi

Class Petromyzontida

Lampreys

Natural History for Lampreys

• Cartilaginous skeleton

• No scales

• Circular mouth with epidermal teeth on the tongue and oral disc

• 7 circular gill openings on each side of the body

• Parasitic big, sharp teeth, slowly pulsate the muscles around mouth to wear down the skin to access blood flow for nutrients

• Non-parasitic small, latch onto rocks in the streams and eat anything

What are vertebrates with jaws called?

Superclass Gnathostomata

What is the class name for cartilaginous fishes?

Class Chondrichthyes

What is the subclass name for sharks, skates, and rays

Subclass Elasmobranchii

Natural History for Sharks, Skates, and Rays (Bonnet Head Shark in Picture)

• Possess placoid scales giving the skin a “sandpaper” feel

• Replaceable teeth

• Multiple gill openings (gill slits)

• Protrusible upper jaws

• Internal fertilization

• Sharks have special sense, Ampullae of Lorenzini

• Intromittent organ that evolved from pelvic fins which are called “claspers”

How are shark teeth boney without bones?

The teeth are made of hard, mineralized tissue with enamel

What type of scales do Sharks, Skates, and Rays have?

They have placoid scales that are rough when pushed in one direction and smooth in the other direction, this helps them cut through the water at faster speeds

What order and common name do these sharks belong to?

Order Lamniformes

Mackerel Sharks

Natural History for Order Lamniformes

• “Mackerel Sharks”

• 2 dorsal fins + 1 anal fin

• 5 gill slits

• Eyes w/o nictitating membranes

• Mouth extends behind eyes

• Maintain higher body temp than surrounding water

What is the order and common name of this vertebrate called?

Order Squaliformes

Dogfish sharks

Natural History for Order Squaliformes

• “Dogfish Sharks”

• 2 dorsal fins + NO anal fin

• Slender body, pointed snout (compact)

• What is their namesake?

  • Hint: feeding

What is the order name and common name of this vertebrate?

Order Pristiophoriformes and Sawsharks

Natural history for Order Pristiophoriformes a.k.a Sawshark

• “Sawsharks”

• A type of shark

• Gill slits on side

• Have barbels underneath rostrum

• Alternating teeth pattern

What is the order name and common name of this vertebrate?

Order Pristiformes and Sawfish

Natural history for Order Pristiformes a.k.a Sawfish

• “Sawfishes”

• A type of ray

• Gill slits positioned underside

• Lack barbels

• Evenly spaced teeth on rostrum

What is the order and common name of this vertebrate?

Order Myliobatiformes and Rays

Natural History for Order Myliobatiformes a.k.a Rays

• “Rays”

• Thin, whip-like tail

• 1 or 2 barbed spines near the base of tail for protection

• Generally larger than skates

• Lost dorsal and anal fins

• Dorso-ventrally flattened

• The holes behind the eyes allow for the ray to bury themselves in the sand and syphon water through the holes so they can still breath

What is the subclass and common name for this vertebrate?

Subclass Holocephali and Ratfishes or Chimeras

Natural history for Subclass Holocephali a.k.a Ratfishes or Chimeras

• Gill openings covered by a single gill cover

• No scales over most of the body

• Continually growing teeth that form crushing plates

• Immoveable upper jaws

• Internal fertilization

• Live far off shore in deep water

What is this?

This is a “cleared and stained+ shark head

• Blue: Chondrocranium

• White: Enamel

• Red: Brain and inner ear

What is this?

This is a typical cartilaginous fish skeleton/skull (notice lack of bone)

What is the class name for lobe-finned fishes

Class Sarcopterygii

What is the subclass and order for Coelacanths

Subclass Coelacanthimorpha and Order coelacanthiformes

What is the subclass and order for Lungfishes

Subclass Dipnotetrapodomorpha and Order Ceratodontiformes

What is the class and infraclass of tetrapods

Class Sarcopterygii and Infraclass Tetrapoda

What is the class name for ray-finned fishes

Class Actinopterygii

Natural History facts for Class Actinopterygii a.k.a ray-finned fishes

• They have rays in their supports, their fins

• Their fins are direct-to-body

What is the subclass name for Cartilaginous bony fishes?

Subclass Chondrostei

Natural history for Subclass Chondrostei a.k.a Cartilaginous bony fishes

Lot of cartilage in skeleton and look like sharks but are not

What is the Order, Family, common name, and species name of this veretebrate?

Order Acipenseriformes

Family Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)

Atlantic Sturgeon

Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Natural history for Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus a.k.a Atlantic Sturgeon

• Coastal and freshwater habitats

• Don’t have scales per se but have plates called Scutes

• These guys produce caviar

What is the Order, Family, common name, and species name of this vertebrate?

Order Acipenseriformes

Family Polyodontidae (Paddlefish)

American Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Natural history for Polyodon sapthula a.k.a American Paddlefish

• Filter feed

• Have ampullae of lorenzini and open mouth when they sense food coming down stream

What is the Subclass name for “New finned”

Neopterygii

What is the Order, Family, species name, and common name of this vertebrate?

Order Lepisosteiformes

Family Lepisosteidae (Gars)

Lepisosteus osseus

Longnose Gar

Natural history facts for Lepisosteus osseus a.k.a Longnose Gar

• Toothy snout, narrow

• Special type of scale, very thick called Ganoid

  • It provides thick, heavy armor

What is the Order, Family, species, and common name for this vertebrate?

Order Amniiformes

Family Amiidae (Bowfins)

Amia calva

Bowfin

Natural history for Amia calva a.k.a Bowfin

• Long dorsal fin that goes to the tail

• Black spot near tail called Ocellus

What is the division name meaning perfect bone

Division Teleostei

Division Teleostei Natural History Facts

• Means perfect bone

• Modern bony fish

• Largest and most diverse group of ray-finned fishes roughly 96% of all living fish species

What is the Order, Family, species, and common name of this vertebrate?

Order Anguilliformes

Family Anguillidae (Freshwater Eels)

Anguilla rostrata

American Eel

Natural history Facts for Anguilla rostrata a.k.a American Eel

• One continuous fin

• Life history strategy called catadromous

  • Live whole lives in freshwater rivers and streams and when time to reproduce they swim down into the ocean and reproduce in salt water

• Congregate in Sargasso Sea, warm and blend into vegetation

What is the Order and Family name of North American Minnows & Shiners

Order Cypriniformes

Family Leuciscidae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Cypriniformes and Family Leuciscidae (North American Minnows & Shiners)

Campostoma pauciradii

Bluefin Stoneroller

Natural History Facts for Campostoma pauciradii a.k.a Bluefin Stoneroller

• Called creek cows because they eat algae

• Have mouth slightly to the side to eat algae off rocks

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Cypriniformes and Family Leuciscidae (North American Minnows & Shiners)

Nocomis leptocephalus

Bluehead Chub

Natural History Facts for Nocomis leptocephalus a.k.a Bluehead Chub

• Leptocephalus means big head

• Spots on head are tubercles

• Build rock mounds in rivers by carrying them with mouth, purpose is for laying eggs on them

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Cypriniformes and Family Leuciscidae (North American Minnows & Shiners)

Notropis lutipinnis

Yellowfin Shiner

What is the Order and Family name for Minnows and Carps

Order Cypriniformes

Family Cyprinidae

What is the species and common name for this vertebrate thats in Order Cypriniformes and Family Cyprinidae ( Minnows, Shiners, Carps)

Cyprinus carpio

Common Carp

Natural History Facts for Cyprinus carpio a.k.a Common Carp

• Have fleshy barbel beside lip for sensory to forage in murky or low visibility water

• Have “Mirror Carp” mutation characterized by highly irregular, patchy, or almost entirely absent scales

What is the Order and Family name for Suckers

Order Cypriniformes

Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Cypriniformes and Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

Hypentelium etowanum

Alabama Hog Sucker

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Cypriniformes and Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

Moxostoma robustum

Robust Redhorse

What is the Order and Family name for North American Freshwater Catfishes

Order Siluriformes

Family Ictaluridae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Siluriformes and Family Ictaluridae (North American Freshwater Catfishes)

Ameiurus brunneus

Snail Bullhead

Natural History Facts for Ameiurus brunneus a.k.a Snail Bullhead

Walking tongues, have taste buds all over body

What is the species name and common name of this vertebrate in Order Siluriformes and Family Ictaluridae (North American Freshwater Catfishes)

Ictalurus punctatus

Channel Catfish

What is the species name and common name of this vertebrate in Order Siluriformes and Family Ictaluridae (North American Freshwater Catfishes)

Noturus leptacanthus

Speckled Madtom

What is the Order and Family name of Trout and Salmon

Order Salmoniformes

Family Salmonidae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Salmoniformes and Family Salmonidae (Trout and Salmon)

Salmo trutta

Brown Trout

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Salmoniformes and Family Salmonidae (Trout and Salmon)

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow Trout

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate in Order Salmoniformes and Family Salmonidae (Trout and Salmon)

Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook Trout

What is the Order and Family name of Pirate Perches

Order Percopsiformes
Family Aphredoderidae

What is the species and common name for this vertebrate in Order Percopsiformes and Family Aphredoderidae

Aphredoderus sayanus

Pirate Perch

Natural History Facts for Aphredoderus sayanus a.k.a Pirate Perch

Anal vent right where the gills meet under the mouth

Early bony fishes in Class Actinopterygii have thin, smooth scales called

Ganoid Scales

What is the Order and Family name of Mosquitofish?

Order Cyprinodontiformes

Family Poecillidae (Livebearers)

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Cyprinodontiformes and Family Poecillidae (Livebearers)

Gambusia affinis

Mosquitofish

Natural History Facts for Gambusia affinis a.k.a Mosquitofish

Intromittent organ, modified pelvic fin called gonopodium

What is the Order and Family of this vertebrate?

Order Scorpaeniformes

Family Cottidae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Scorpaeniformes and Family Cottidae

Cottus bairdii

Mottled Sculpin

What is the Order and Family name of Sunfishes and Black Basses

Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black Basses)

Lepomis auritus

Redbreast Sunfish

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black Basses)

Lepomis cyanellus

Green Sunfish

Natural History Facts for Lepomis cyanellus a.k.a Green Sunfish

• Mouth gape much bigger than its body size

• Ear flap short and stocky

• Black pigment splotches on fins for dead specimens

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black Basses)

Lepomis macrochirus

Bluegill

Natural History Facts for Lepomis macrochirus a.k.a Bluegill

Smallest mouth gape of any ones we are learning

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black Basses)

Micropterus cataractae

Shoal Bass

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black basses)

Micropterus henshalli

Alabama Bass

Natural History Facts for Micropterus henshalli a.k.a Alabama Bass

• Invasive have spread northward due to fisherman

• They hybridize with native species and make them go extinct as with one population of Shoal bass

• Tooth patch present on tongue

• Jaw fully closed extends to middle rear of eye

• Rows of dark spots present below lateral band

• Dark blotchy lateral band present from head to tail

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes, Black Basses)

Micropterus salmoides

Largemouth Bass

Natural History Facts for Micropterus salmoides a.k.a Largemouth Bass

• Generally lacks tooth patch on tongue

• Jaw fully closed extends past the eye

• More continuous lateral band present from head to tail

• Non-continuous and uneven spots below lateral band if present at all

What is the Order and Family of Perches, Walleyes, and Darters

Order Perciformes and Family Percidae

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Percidae (Perches, Walleyes and Darters)

Etheostoma etowahae

Etowah Darter

Natural History Facts for Etheostoma etowahae a.k.a Etowah Darter

• Clear, clean, cold water

• Riparian zone destruction, a type of land disturbance

  • Homes built near rivers want to see river so they get rid of trees which makes more sediment go into river and Etowah Darters don’t like that

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Percidae (Perches, Walleyes and Darters)

Percina nigrofasciata

Blackbanded Darter

What is the species and common name of this vertebrate that’s in Order Perciformes and Family Percidae (Perches, Walleyes, and Darters)

Sander vitreus

Walleye

Natural History Facts for Sander vitreus a.k.a Walleye

Reflective layer called tapetum lucidum, layer of tissue behind eyes, enhances vision in low-light