Midterm I review (with sample questions)
Taxonomy
Know how species are defined and named; understand how taxonomic nomenclature is used
Know the taxonomic categories of fishes covered in class (superclasses, classes, sub-classes, and
orders)
Be able to identify characteristics and common names of fishes in the orders we have covered (given
a choice of orders, select a few to answer questions about them)
Know how to ‘read’ taxonomic descriptions
Recognize primitive (older) versus advanced (recent) traits in fishes
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Give an example of a meristic measurement that could be used in a taxonomic description of a fish.
How many classes/orders/species of fish are there?
What is a nomen praeoccupatum?
What is a paraphyletic group?
Fish Anatomy
Be familiar with the external and internal structures of fishes, and how they vary functionally and
taxonomically
be familiar with the parts of a fish skeleton and their function
know the names and varying locations of fins and their functions
know the names of fish body shapes
know the types of scales
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Circle the fins than may bear spines in one or more species: anal, dorsal, pelvic, pectoral, adipose, caudal
Where are the pelvic fins located in more advanced fishes, relative to more primitive orders?
Define or describe the following: ceratotrichia
opercule
What type of mouth location and tooth structures might be found in a fish that eats crayfish?
Swimming
Understand the physical characteristics of water that affect swimming efficiency – density,
viscosity, boundary layers, turbulence
Understand the physics of movement in fluids – lift, drag, laminar flow, boundary layers
Understand the various modes of fish propulsion, factors that affect their efficiency, and
representative orders/species that use them
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Describe the characteristics that you would expect to find in fast-swimming fish.
Describe a non-swimming form of locomotion and a fish (common name or order) that uses it.
Buoyancy
Understand the options for achieving neutral buoyancy, and their relative advantages or
disadvantages.
Know how a rete mirable works
Respiration
Know the constraints on acquiring oxygen (e.g., availability in water)
Be familiar with the various options for acquiring oxygen
Know how ‘breathing’ is accomplished in gilled fishes