Fishes Flashcards
What are the 6 Gnathostome synapomorphies?
jaws (derived from gill arches), most have dentin-based teeth, complex endoskeleton, 3 semi-circular canals, paired fins/limbs, gill tissue external to gill arches
What did Gnathostome jaws evolve from?
2 pharyngeal (branchial) arches - first arch becomes mandibular arch, 2nd arch becomes hyoid arch
What are placoderms?
extinct group of jawed fishes (430-359 Ma)
Where is placoderm armor located?
cranial and thoracic bony armor
T/F: Placoderms have teeth
False: jaws lined with self-sharpening occluding bony plates (no teeth)
What is donkleosteus?
predatory placoderm found in North America, Poland, Belgium, Morocco
- massive: 10m long, 4 tonnes
what is materpiscis (mother fish)
oldest known vertebrate to show matrotrophic viviparity (nutrition from mother and birth to live young). bears unborn embryo and mineralized umbilical cord
what are Acanthodians?
extinct group of paleozoic jawed fishes (450-290 Ma)
What are some features of acanthodians(spiny sharks)?
prominent spines at leading edges of fins, body covered in small non-overlapping rhomboid scales, single or multiple gill covers (operculum), large eyes
what are chondrichthyans?
cartilagenous fishes, fossil record extends back to paleozoic
what kind of jaw suspension do sharks have?
hyostylic jaw suspension; upper jaw has a weak ligamentous attachment to braincase and is mostly supported by the hyoid arch
what is the benefit of hyostylic jaw suspension
produces greater mobility of jaws and development of a protractile bite (increases ability to tear off large pieces of flesh or provide effective suction)
what are some features of sharks (chondrichthyans)?
active predators, cartilagenous endoskeleton, dermal skeleton composed of placoid scales (protection and reduce friction), fins composed of keratinized ceratotrichia
T/F: all extinct and extant male sharks have claspers
true
what function does the rectal gland serve?
osmoregulation: removes excess salt