Marine Vertebrates Study Guide
1. List the phylum, subphylum, and classes of marine fishes.
2. What is unique about the class Agnatha?
3. Which organisms are found in the class Agnatha.
4. What are some advancements the classes Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes display?
5. Describe physical characteristics that are unique to the Chondricthyes class. There are multiple.
6. Draw and label the following on a cartilaginous fish: spiracle, dorsal fin, caudal fin, gill slits,
pectoral fin, pelvic fin, anal fin.
7. Draw and label the following on a bony fish: dorsal fin, caudal fin, operculum, pectoral fin, pelvic
fin, anal fin.
8. Differentiate between rays and skates.
9. What is a swim bladder and why did bony fish evolve one?
10. Describe the different colorations of fish and the function of each.
11. What is the difference between a carnivorous fish’s gut and a herbivore fish’s gut? Why does this
difference exist?
12. Explain countercurrent exchange.
13. How do the chondrichthyes osmoregulate verses the osteichthyes.
14. Explain the usage lateral lines and the ampullae of Lorenzini.
15. List the different classes and orders discussed in marine vertebrates.
16. What obstacles did marine organisms have to overcome in order to become land dwellers?
17. Differentiate between ectotherms and endotherms
18. Differentiate between homeotherms and poikilotherms.
19. Describe differences between land based turtles and marine turtles.
20. If turtles produce 100 to 160 eggs, why is their reproductive success rate so low?
21. Why are sea snakes not a real danger to humans?
22. What is unique about the marine crocodile in relation to other marine reptiles?
23. What are some adaptations marine birds have developed in order to be successful?
24. Describe adaptations unique to the penguins which have allowed them to be so successful.
25. What organ is unique to the tubenose birds (and not its beak!)?
26. Explain the significance of pelican and other related birds feet.
27. How to frigate birds obtain its food?
28. What is the largest variety of seabird?
29. Which marine avian group do not have webbed feet?
30. Describe the locomotion of the pinnipeds.
31. Differentiate between a seal and a sea lion.
32. What is the unique feature of a walrus and what is its purpose?
33. Why are the sirenians endangered? In other words, which factors are contributing to their decline
in numbers?
34. Describe the locomotion of the sirenians and the cetaceans.
35. What proof do we have that cetaceans were once land dwellers?
36. Which features can we see in cetaceans that are result of convergent evolution?
37. Know the two large categories of whales and what makes each unique.
38. Describe the feeding process of the baleen whales.
39. Describe the adaptations cetaceans have developed in order to be more efficient divers.
40. How does echolocation work? Describe the origination of the sound frequencies and end with the
dolphin’s interpretation.
41. Why may organisms breach themselves?
42. Why may organisms beach themselves?
43. Describe how a cetacean may remain streamlined in relation to reproduction.
44. Describe the courtship/breeding behavior of the pinnipeds.
45. Why do cetaceans give birth tail first.
**Review the online chapter quizzes.
**Review the marine fish quiz from earlier in the year.
**Review the vocabulary
Marine Vertebrate Vocabulary
Agnatha
Cloaca
Chondrichthyes
Spiracles
Placoid scales
Lamellae
Caudal fin
Countercurrent system of flow
Dorsal fins
Osmoconformers
Heterocercal
Osmoregulators
Pectoral fins
Olfactory sacs/Nostrils
Demersal
Nictitating Membrane
Osteichthyes
Barbels
Cycloid scales
Lateral Line
Operculum
Ampullae of Lorenzini
Homocercal
Schooling
Fin rays
Anadramous
Swim bladder
Catadromous
Ichthyology
Sex Reversal
Chromatophores
Spawning
Iridophores
Oviparous
Warning Coloration
Ovoviviparous
Cryptic Coloration
Viviparous
Disruptive Coloration
Reptilia
Countershading
Aves
Myomeres
Mammalia
Gill arcs
Poikilotherm
Gill rakers
Ectotherm
Homeotherm
Endotherm
Guano
Pinnipedia
Blubber
Carnivora
Sirenians
Cetaceans
Convergent evolution
Flukes
Blowhole
Baleen
Baleen whales
Rorquals
Pods
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972
Echolocation
Melon
Breaching
Beaching
Genital slit
Bachelor groups
Gestation
Delayed Implantation