See vermiculate.

Resembling a worm.

Local; common; colloquial name of an animal or plant taxon. The name of a taxon in any language other than that of zoological nomenclature.

Being covered with small, dermal, wart-like projections.

Any of the bony or cartilaginous segments comprising the spinal column.

Plural of vertebra.

The backbone; the spine; in fishes, the vertebrae running from skull to caudal fin which protect the spinal cord and haemal artery as well as providing attachment for certain muscles used for swimming.

An organism possessing a backbone or spinal column.

Unpaired, median fin, i.e., dorsal, caudal, adipose and anal fins.

Movement within the vertical plane of a water column.

Character or morphological feature having attained a simplified structure and reduced size, function and importance during the evolution of a taxon.

A population of fish in a state that maintains its potential for survivial and evolutionary change.

Separation or division of a population by a geographic barrier, such as a mountain or body of water, resulting in evolution into new varieties or species.

Used in reference to any of several closely related species, variants, etc., each of which exists in a distinct geographical area but are assumed to have originated from a single population that became dispersed by geological events; of or relating to such an event.

Plural of villus.

Having the appearance or form of a villus or series of villi.

Slender, abundant, crowded teeth resembling villi or the bristles of a brush present in some fishes.

In biology, a minute, hairlike process present on certain membranes, such as the mucous membrane in the small intestine of many vertebrates. Typically has a sensory or absorptive function.

The soft internal organs of the body.

Of or relating to the viscera.