Glossary

176 terms beginning with C · showing 1–40

1. C number

   Coding system used to organise and refer to unidentified catfishes, though not necessarily undescribed or distinct species, of the genus Corydoras. Works in tandem with the similar CW number system. The system was invented by German aquarist Hans-Georg Evers and first appeared in the magazine 'DATZ' but is now in popular use worldwide.

   Used in 67 profiles

2. calcareous

   Composed of, containing, or characteristic of calcium carbonate, calcium, or limestone; chalky.

   Used in 2 profiles

3. caldera

   Cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption, sometimes confused with volcanic craters. Often fill with water to form lakes.

   Used in 1 profile

4. caniniform

   Resembling or having the form of a canine tooth

   Used in 5 profiles

5. canister filter

   See external filter.

6. carapace

   The hard upper shell of a tortoise, crustacean, or arachnid.

7. carbonate hardness

   Measure of the alkalinity of water as dictated by the presence of bicarbonate and carbonate ions. Usually expressed as parts per million, milligrams per litre, or degrees (dKH) of which 1 dKH corresponds to 17.848 ppm. Sometimes used a synonym for, but not equivalent to, temporary hardness.

   Used in 65 profiles

8. cardiform

   Arranged like a series of combs or the wire bristles on a wool card. In ichthyology used most commonly to describe the form and arrangement of teeth in certain species.

9. cardioid scale

   A scale possessing a distinct notch on the posterior margin.

10. carinate

    Possessing a distinct ridge or keel.

    Used in 1 profile

11. carnivorous

    Feeding on animals.

    Used in 106 profiles

12. carotenoid

    Any of a category of yellow to red pigments occurring naturally in plants and animals and including the carotenes and xanthophylls. Animals obtain carotenoids in their diets and they're known to enhance colouration in some fishes.

    Used in 4 profiles

13. carrion

    Dead and decaying animal flesh.

14. cartilage

    Specialised, toughened, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body and forming the temporary skeleton in embryonic and very young fishes, but mostly lost as the majority of species mature. Retained throughout life in cartilaginous fishes.

    Used in 26 profiles

15. cartilaginous fishes

    A fish with a skeleton composed mainly of cartilage; major groups include sharks, rays and skates.

16. catadromy

    Migration of fishes from freshwater to the sea.

17. cataract

    A dramatic, steep fall in a watercourse.

    Used in 16 profiles

18. catchment

    A collecting of water, especially rainwater.

    Used in 5 profiles

19. catchment basin

    The entire area drained by a given river or lake plus associated tributaries. Same meaning as drainage basin, river basin, watershed, etc..

20. caudal

    Towards the poterior or caudal fin.

    Used in 320 profiles

21. caudal filament

    Filamentous extensions of the caudal fin tips seen in some fishes.

22. caudal keel

    A fleshy, raised ridge extending along the caudal peduncle, most commonly the dorsal surface.

23. caudal peduncle

    The typically narrow section of the body located between the posterior of the dorsal and anal fins and caudal fin origin. Its depth is measured vertically at the narrowest point.

    Used in 394 profiles

24. caudal peduncle scale count

    Count often used in species descriptions and comparisons, made by counting the number of scales present around the narrowest part of the caudal peduncle.

25. caudal-fin

    Also referred to as the tail fin, it's main purpose is thrust and propulsion.

    Used in 790 profiles

26. cave breeder

    See 'cavity brooder'.

27. cavity brooder

    Reproductive strategy characteristic of certain fishes, e.g., many cichlids, in which eggs in a cavity, cave or similar. The clutch is normally guarded aggressively by one or both parents. Such species may also be referred to as 'cave brooders/breeders'.

28. cc

    Abbreviation for cubic centimetre/centimeter (UK/US).

29. cement gland

    Temporary organ normally located on the head in fry of some fish species. Excretes an adhesive substance and used to attach to solid surfaces.

30. cenote

    A water-filled limestone sinkhole. The term is normally used to refer to such features located specifically in the Yucatán Peninsula, southeastern Mexico.

    Used in 2 profiles

31. Cenozoic (Era)

    Current and most recent of the three Phanerozoic geological eras, immediately following the Mesozoic Era and covering the period from 65.5 mya to the present. Also known as the 'Age of Mammals' due to the great diversification occurring among that group, it's divided into three periods: Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary; and seven epochs: Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene, and Holocene.

    Used in 8 profiles

32. centrum

    The solid central part of a vertebra, not including the bases of the neural arch.

33. cephalic

    Of, relating to or located on, in or near the head.

    Used in 24 profiles

34. cephalopod

    Any marine mollusc of the class Cephalopoda which includes octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Characterised by possession of a large head and eyes, prehensile tentacles, and, in most species, a specialised sac containing a dark, inky fluid used in defensive behaviour.

35. ceratobranchial

    Longest bones or cartilages of the branchial arches, located beneath the epibranchials.

    Used in 28 profiles

36. cf.

    Abbreviation of the word 'confer', meaning 'compare with'. Used in the fields of systematics and taxonomy to denote specimens or populations that resemble a described taxon but differ in some respects and thus may or may not represent a distinct species.

37. character

    In ichthyology, any characteristic or its attributes used for recognising, describing, defining, or differentiating species, genera or higher taxa. Also used in phylogenetic analyses whereby ancestral (primitive) characters are termed plesiomorphic and derived (novel) characters apomorphic.

    Used in 843 profiles

38. checklist

    List of species, sometimes annotated.

    Used in 2 profiles

39. cheironym

    An unpublished scientific name, also known as 'manuscript name'.

40. cheirotype

    A type specimen of a species that only appears in an unpublished source.