Results for “várzea”

oesophagus

Muscular tube through which food passes from mouth to stomach in vertebrates; the gullet. Also spelled 'esophagus'.

oil globule

Small, spherical droplet of oil found within the yolk sac of fish larvae. There may be one or more present and the size, positioning, and colour are also variable meaning they can be useful in terms of taxon identification.

Oodinium

Genus of parasitic dinoflagellates occurring in marine and freshwater fishes and sometimes referred to as Piscinoodinium or 'velvet disease'.

Used in 7 profiles

ortho-

Prefix meaning straight, upright, or vertical.

Used in 1 profile

ossicle

Small bone, especially any of the three small bones in the inner ear of vertebrates.

Used in 4 profiles

Ostariophysan

Fish of the superorder Ostariophysi, members of which are characterised by possession of a Weberian apparatus, i.e., the anterior four or five vertebrae are modified as a protective casing for the bony ossicles which connect the inner ear and swim bladder. The order contains such orders as Cypriniformes, Characiformes, Gymnotiformes, and Siluriformes.

ovipositor

Tubular structure used to deposit eggs in some fishes. Formed by an extension of the genital opening and usually concealed but sometimes becomes visible prior to spawning. Also referred to as the genital papilla.

Used in 31 profiles

ovoviviparity

Reproductive strategy in which fertilisation occurs internally and the eggs develop inside the body of the mother until hatched, at which point live offspring are born. There is no placental connection between mother and embryo unlike in viviparous species.

oxidation

Chemical process whereby an atom or ion loses electrons and undergoes a subsequent increase in valence; the combination of a substance with oxygen; the act or result of being oxidised. Opposite of reduction.

paedomorphism

Phylogenetic state in which juvenile or larval characters are retained in and throughout the adult stage. May arise via neoteny or progenesis.

palatine

In morphology, a paired lateral bone above the mouth lying between the vomer and maxillary; the presence or absence of teeth on the palatine is a defining character in the classification of some fishes. Also known as autopalatine.

Used in 12 profiles

Palghat Gap

Also known as the 'Palakkad Gap', a low mountain pass representing the major break in the Western Ghats mountain range. The Nilgiri Hills rise to around 1100 m AMSL north of the gap and the Anaimalai Hills approximately 2000 m AMSL to the south, with average elevation within the gap 144 m AMSL. The gap has been shown to represent a biogeographic barrier restricting gene flow between populations of numerous species including Indian elephant and various birds.

Used in 1 profile

paludarium

Type of vivarium with both aquatic and terrestrial areas.

Used in 8 profiles

parasphenoid

Elongate bone located in the base of the skull in many vertebrate organisms.

Used in 7 profiles

pathogen

Any agent causing disease or infection, especially a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism.

peat swamp forest

Type of tropical moist forest lying over a thick bed of acidic peat, over 60% of which occur in Indonesia and Malaysia. Typically contain water with very low pH (<4.0) that is stained brown due to the release of various organic compounds from the decaying peat and thus often referred to as blackwater swamps. Usually contain some permanent water but also flood seasonally. Highly biodiverse when in pristine condition, with many species found nowhere else on earth, though increasingly subjected to intensive drainage, burning and subsequent conversion to agriculture in recent decades.

Used in 89 profiles

pectoral girdle

Bony or cartilaginous structure supporting the forelimbs or anterior fins in vertebrates.

Used in 26 profiles

pectoral-fin

Anterior, paired fin attached to the pectoral girdle of fishes, usually just behind the opercle and corresponding to the forelimbs of higher vertebrates. Assists in controlling direction of movement and swimming speed. Frequently abbreviated to 'P' or 'P1' in scientific papers.

Used in 508 profiles

pelvic disc

Disc-shaped modification of the pelvic fins, which are often fused, used to adhere to surfaces via suction. Present in certain fishes, especially members of the family Gobiidae. Also known as sucking disc.

Used in 31 profiles

pharyngeal teeth

Opposing patches of teeth located on the upper and lower portions of the branchial arches in many fishes, e.g., cyprinids. Variable in structure and to an extent, function.

Used in 55 profiles