Results for “vertebra”

vertebra

Any of the bony or cartilaginous segments comprising the spinal column.

Used in 33 profiles

vertebrae

Plural of vertebra.

Used in 174 profiles

vertebral column

The backbone; the spine; in fishes, the vertebrae running from skull to caudal fin which protect the spinal cord and haemal artery as well as providing attachment for certain muscles used for swimming.

vertebrate

An organism possessing a backbone or spinal column.

Used in 48 profiles

urostyle

Upturned, posterior tip or backwardly-orientated process of the lower vertebral column, generally comprised of fused vertebrae; series of bones articulating with the last true vertebra; usually included when counting vertebrae.

Used in 8 profiles

centrum

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

epineural

Arising from or located on a neural arch of a vertebra.

neural arch

A bony or cartilaginous arch-shaped structure arising from the dorsal side of a vertebra and enclosing the spinal cord.

Used in 2 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.

standard length

Measurement taken from the tip of the snout to the midlateral, posterior edge of the hypural plate or posterior edge of the last vertebra, thus excluding the caudal fin. May also exclude the length of the lower jaw should it project beyond the snout. It is the standard scientific measurement used for most fish species because the caudal fin easily becomes damaged in preserved specimens. Abbreviated to SL.

Used in 48 profiles

Weberian apparatus

Anatomical structure connecting the swim bladder to the inner ear found in members of the fish superorder Ostariophysi. Conveys sound and changes in pressure, and comprises four or five modified vertebrae.

Used in 5 profiles

Weberian ossicle

Any of the modified vertebrae comprising the Weberian apparatus in Ostariophysian fishes, individually named the claustrum, scaphium, intercalarium and tripus.

acclimation

Adaptation to a new climate or environment. Used in reference to the process of slowly introducing an animal to a new environment, e.g., when adding new fish or invertebrates to an aquarium. Same meaning as acclimatisation.

Used in 35 profiles

amphibian

A class of cold-blooded vertebrates, generally requiring water for reproduction.

Used in 32 profiles

annelid

Member of the phylum Annelida which comprises a large group of segmented, usually elongate, worm-like invertebrates. Contains both earthworms and leeches among others.

Used in 1 profile

axial skeleton

Skeletal bones orientated in the axial sense, comprising the neurocranium, branchial skeleton, vertebral column and intermuscular bones and ribs.

Used in 1 profile

biological species concept

Most popular concept of species in vertebrate zoology. Defines species as members of populations that do or potentially could interbreed and produce fertile offspring in nature, regardless of appearance, therefore somewhat more restrictive than the phylogenetic species concept. In theory species are thus separated from one another by some form of reproductive isolation, though in practice this does not always hold true. Often abbreviated to BSC.

egg

Object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or invertebrate, normally roun or oval-shaped and containing a developing embryo surrounded by nutrient material and a protective case or shell; a female gamete; an ovum.

Used in 1,063 profiles

epidermis

The outermost, protective, non-vascular layer of skin in vertebrates.

Used in 5 profiles