Results for “ray”

ray

Any of the bony spines supporting the membrane of a fish's fin including both spines and soft rays.

Used in 793 profiles

branched rays

A soft or segmented fin ray which is distally forked/divided into two.

Used in 51 profiles

principle caudal-fin rays

Fin rays forming the dorsal or ventral margins of the caudal fin, supported by the supported by the hypural and parahypural.

Used in 1 profile

segmented ray

Fin ray divided into short sections.

Used in 2 profiles

simple ray

Unbranched and unsegmented soft fin ray.

Used in 20 profiles

soft ray

Segmented fin ray which is flexible and usually branched.

Used in 17 profiles

branchiostegal ray

One of the dermal, bony (sometimes cartilaginous), bilaterally paired, flattened struts inserting on the epihyal and/or ceratohyal (sometimes the interhyal and hypohyal) that supports the branchiostegal membranes.

Used in 4 profiles

Actinopterygii

Class of ray-finned fishes, so-called because they possess fin rays. Contains 95%+ of known fish species.

Used in 1 profile

gas bladder

Gas-filled sac with 1-3 chambers, situated just below the vertebral column in most ray-finned fishes. Its primary function is to aid in buoyancy by offsetting the weight of heavier structures such as bone, but is also used for respiration or sound production in some species. Often reduced in benthic fishes and sometimes absent altogether. Also known as the air or swim bladder.

Used in 104 profiles

teleost

Any member of the infraclass Teleostei, a large group of ray-finned fishes containing most of those with a bony skeleton.

Used in 10 profiles

adipose-fin

A small, fleshy, rayless fin present in certain fishes and located behind the dorsal fin.

Used in 100 profiles

andropodium

Modified, flexible anal fin rays present in males of some fish species (families Hemirhamphidae and Goodeidae) giving the fin a 'notched' appearance. Not used for insemination like the gonopodium in members of the family Poecillidae but to clasp the female during mating.

Used in 5 profiles

branchiostegal membrane

The membrane, sometimes referred to as the gill membrane, connecting the branchiostegal rays and enclosing the ventral portion of the branchial cavity. Normally extended when the opercle of a fish is open, sealing the branchial cavity and creating a vacuum in the mouth, and also used during threat, courtship and other communicative behaviours in many species.

Used in 5 profiles

breeding tubercle

Raised, epidermal structures developing on the head, body or fin rays during the spawning season in some fishes. Usually occur only in males, and sometimes referred to as 'nuptial tubercules'.

cartilaginous fishes

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

contact organ

Dermal, bony growth or spicule normally protruding from one or more fin rays or scale margins. Present on parts of the body or fins that come into contact with the female during spawning in males of some fishes.

Used in 9 profiles

dorsal-fin

Median, rayed, unpaired fin located on the dorsal surface (back) of most fishes. Its main purpose is to prevent the animal rolling and enable it to turn sharply. Some species possess more than one dorsal fin, in which case the anterior one is referred to as the first.

Used in 860 profiles

Elasmobranchii

Subclass of Chondrichthyes, also known as cartilaginous fishes, that includes the sharks, skates and rays.

Used in 12 profiles

epural

Located on the dorsal side of the caudal fin; elongate bone which supports the caudal fin rays, positioned above the urostyle and posterior to the last neural spine.

Used in 8 profiles

fin

Membranous appendage supported by cartilage or bony rays. Used for locomotion, steering, and balance by fishes and some other aquatic organisms.

Used in 800 profiles