Results for “species”

type

Can be used to refer to any taxonomic group, the characteristics of which are used for defining related, higher or lower ranking groups. For example, the type of a nominal species is a specimen (type specimen), the type of a nominal genus is the nominal species (type species), and the type of a nominal family is the nominal genus (type genus).

Used in 783 profiles

specific gravity

Ratio of the density of a liquid to the density compared with pure water. Often used to deduce the salinity of aquarium water and measured using a hydrometer or refractometer.

Used in 6 profiles

specimen

Individual organism regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs; the whole or part of such an organism collected and preserved for scientific purposes.

Used in 1,087 profiles

binomial name

The two part name of a species used in zoological nomenclature comprising generic (for the genus) and specific (for the species) names which form the full scientific name when combined, e.g. Carassius auratus.

biotope

An area of uniform environmental conditions and species distribution containing a specific assemblage of plants and animals. Similar to 'habitat' but refers to a biological community rather than a single species or population.

Used in 313 profiles

ex gr.

Abbreviation of the Latin ex grege, meaning 'from the herd, of the group'. Sometimes used between the generic and specific parts of a binomial name when the precise species is not known but the organism can be identified as belonging to a named group of species.

Used in 2 profiles

adaptive radiation

Speciation of a taxonomic group into several forms, each specialised to fill a previously vacant ecological niche, as exemplified by Rift Lake cichlids, for example.

Used in 60 profiles

aff.

Abbreviation of the word 'affinis', meaning related but not identical to. Used in the fields of systematics and taxonomy when referring to undescribed specimens or populations that resemble, but are clearly different to, a described species.

biodiversity

The number, variety, and genetic variation of organisms found within a specified geographic region, both within and between species and ecosystems. Often used as a measure of overall ecosystem health.

Used in 16 profiles

biotope aquarium

Arguably misapplied term used fashionably when describing an aquarium set up to resemble the natural habitat of specific fish(es) including replication of water chemistry, vegetation and sympatric fish species.

Used in 17 profiles

bycatch

Species other than the target caught incidentally when fishing with a net. Sometimes used when referring to aberrant specimens exported among shipments of wild-collected ornamental fishes.

Used in 49 profiles

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

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.

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.

cheirotype

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

cleithral spot

Variably-sized (depending on species), usually dark marking present in the cleithral area dorsal to the pectoral fin insertion. Normally visible externally in llive specimens.

Used in 17 profiles

designation

In icthyology, the nomenclatural act by which the type specimen of a previously or newly-established genus, subgenus, species, or subspecies is fixed via an express statement.

Used in 6 profiles

genus

Taxonomic group into which a family is divided and which contains one or more species characterised by a shared trait or traits. The generic name is used, either alone or followed by one or two specific epithets, to form a binomen or trinomen.

Used in 1,386 profiles

holotype

The single specimen designated as the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspecies.

Used in 36 profiles