Glossary

171 terms beginning with S · showing 1–40

1. saddle

   Blotch-like marking extending over the dorsal surface in certain fishes. Highly variable in number and form depending on taxon, and often used as an identifying feature.

   Used in 49 profiles

2. saline

   A solution containing dissolved salts.

   Used in 11 profiles

3. salinity

   General term for the salt concentration of water.

   Used in 17 profiles

4. salt bath

   Treatment against various parasites which involves placing a freshwater fish in a solution of saline water with the salt concentration and period of exposure variable depending on the size of the fish and severity of infection. Similar to a salt dip in that parasites are killed via osmotic shock, but of longer duration.

5. salt dip

   Treatment against various parasites which involves briefly placing a freshwater fish in a solution of saline water with the salt concentration depending on the size of the fish and severity of infection. Similar to a salt bath in that parasites are killed via osmotic shock, but of much shorter duration.

6. sample

   In ichthyology, a collection of fishes made from a particular locality or specified area.

   Used in 8 profiles

7. sand

   Fine-grained silicate material commonly used as substrate. Often but not always chemically inert, and can therefore be used as a buffer.

   Used in 846 profiles

8. saprolegnia

   Genus of aquatic fungi, some species of which attack fishes. Normally a secondary pathogen attacking previously damaged tissue and causing cellular necrosis alongside other epidermal damage. Generally visible as a whitish or greyish filamentous fungus and thus commonly referred to as cotton-wool disease.

9. saprophagy

   Feeding on dead or decaying organic matter.

10. sarcoophagy

    Feeding on flesh.

11. savanna

    Type of grassland ecosystem characterised by any trees present being spaced in such a way that they do not form a closed canopy, thus sufficient light reaches the ground to support unbroken herbaceous cover consisting primarily of grasses. Also spelled 'savannah'.

    Used in 10 profiles

12. scalation

    See squamation.

13. scale

    Dermal, plate-like structure covering the body in many fishes.

    Used in 653 profiles

14. scale count

    Count of a given range of scales. Used in taxonomical studies to differentiate and identify taxa.

    Used in 11 profiles

15. scaly

    Covered in or resembling scales.

    Used in 3 profiles

16. scaphium

    A Weberian ossicle.

17. scapula

    Paired bone attached to the pterygials, actinosts or radials of the pectoral fin. Articulates ventrally with the coracoid and anteriorly with the cleithrum.

18. scavenger

    Animal feeding on dead or decaying organic matter.

    Used in 19 profiles

19. school

    Tightly-aggregated group of fishes, normally of the same species, which tends to orient and move in the same direction; the act of schooling. Often confused with shoal.

    Used in 135 profiles

20. schooling

    Behaviour exhibited by members of a school in which individuals move in a coordinated manner in the same direction.

    Used in 317 profiles

21. scientific name

    Formal binomial or trinomial name of a species used in zoological nomenclature.

    Used in 26 profiles

22. scute

    Horny, bony external plate or modified scale found in some fishes.

    Used in 11 profiles

23. secondary pathogen

    Pathogenic infection developing as the result of initial infection by some other pathogen.

24. segmented ray

    Fin ray divided into short sections.

    Used in 2 profiles

25. seine

    Type of net designed to hang vertically in the water with the ends being manually drawn together to catch fishes, and which usually has weights at the lower edge and floats at the top; to fish with such a net.

26. selective breeding

    Intentional, normally controlled breeding of organisms favouring desirable or improved traits. Common in the ornamental fish hobby and industry.

    Used in 4 profiles

27. senior homonym

    Of two or more homonyms: the earlier established or if established simultaneously the one taking precedence.

28. senior synonym

    Of two or more synonyms: the earlier established or if established simultaneously the one taking precedence.

29. sensory canal

    See lateral line.

30. sensu

    Latin word meaning 'in the sense of'. Often used to refer to the usage of a name by an author in a sense different from that of the original author, another previous author or the current author.

    Used in 15 profiles

31. sensu lato

    Latin term meaning "in the wide sense". Used in conjunction with a taxonomic name to indicate that the name is used more inclusively than sanctioned by current practice

    Used in 12 profiles

32. sensu stricto

    Latin term meaning "in the strict sense". Used in conjunction with a taxonomic name to indicate exclusion of other names typically associated with it, or when referring to a taxon only in terms of its subordinate nominotypical taxon.

    Used in 106 profiles

33. sequential key

    Identification key comprising a series of steps.

34. serial spawner

    A fish species spawning in multiple bursts within a given period, typically in response to some environmental stimulus or cue, e.g., rainfall.

35. serra

    A small, sharp notch or organ shaped like the tooth of a saw.

    Used in 6 profiles

36. serrae

    Plural of serra. Usually used in reference to a saw-like edge or margin.

    Used in 31 profiles

37. serrate

    Having a notched or sawlike edge or margin.

    Used in 100 profiles

38. serrated

    See serrate.

39. sessile

    Permanently attached to a surface; immobile.

    Used in 1 profile

40. seta

    A rigid hair, bristle, or bristlelike process or appendage.