Miscellaneous Aquatic Questions

Question 1

Describe the form of a HOMOCERCAL tail

Answer 1

A tail that is relatively symmetric on the top and bottom, two lobes of equal proportion. The final vertebra will tilt upward towards the dorsal lobe.

Question 2

Describe the form of a HETEROCERCAL tail

Answer 2

A tail that is asymmetric, with a larger dorsal fin lobe. The vertebral column will turn into the dorsal fin lobe.

Question 3

Describe the form of a DIPHYCERCAL tail

Answer 3

The only true symmetric tail where the vertebral column extends directly caudally and does not twist in any way

Question 4

Describe a BENTHIC fish

Answer 4

A fish that lives along the sea bottom

Question 5

Describe a PELAGIC fish

Answer 5

A fish that lives along the water column

Question 6

Describe PLACOID scales

Answer 6

Borne of dermal (dentine) bone, grow in numbers and protrude through the dermis of primitive fishes like sharks.

Question 7

Describe GANOID scales

Answer 7

Armor-like scales that are found on gars and bichirs. They display cyclomorial growth.

Question 8

Describe CTENOID scales

Answer 8

Advanced scales of teleosts which grow from a focus and ripple outward.

Question 9

Describe CYCLOID scales

Answer 9

circular growth, flat and round

Question 10

What does the Meckel’s cartillage in the shark, turn into in the perch?

Answer 10

The meckels cartilage becomes the articular bone in the perch.

Question 11

What does the PQ in the shark, turn into in the perch?

Answer 11

Quadrate, epipterygoid.

Question 12

What does the Hyomandibular in the shark, turn into in the perch?

Answer 12

Hyomandibular and symplectic

Question 13

What is the Chondrocranium and Neurocranium?

Answer 13

The braincase

Question 14

What is the splanchnocranium?

Answer 14

All parts of the head / hyoid arches that are NOT the braincase.

Question 15

What are the ceratotrichia called in teleosts?

Answer 15

Actinotrichia

Question 16

What muscles are associated with the mandibular arch?

Answer 16

Adductor mandibulae, Intermandibularis, Levator PQ.

Question 17

What muscles are associated with the hyoid arches?

Answer 17

Interhyoideus, Levator hyomandibulae, Dorsal and ventral constrictors

Question 18

What muscles are associated with the hypobranchial?

Answer 18

Coracoarculs, corocohyoid, coroacomandibularis, coroacobranchials

Question 19

What are the EPAXIAL muscles

Answer 19

Epaxial muscles lie above the lateral line, pointing in a V shape caudally.

Question 20

What are the HYPAXIAL muscles?

Answer 20

Hypaxial muscles lie below the lateral line, pointing in a V shape caudally.

Question 21

What do ABDUCTOR muscles do

Answer 21

Elevate

Question 22

What do ADDUCTOR muscles do

Answer 22

Depress

Question 23

What does a TYMPANUM do in frogs?

Answer 23

It is a simple eardrum which picks up vibrations.

Question 24

What is a CERVICAL VERTEBRA?

Answer 24

A vertebra which is attached to the skull and does not flex or move.