Results for “vertebrate”

vertebrate

An organism possessing a backbone or spinal column.

Used in 48 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.

vertebrae

Plural of vertebra.

Used in 174 profiles

vertebra

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

Used in 33 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

amphibian

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

Used in 32 profiles

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.

centrum

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

epidermis

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

Used in 5 profiles

epineural

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

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

mandible

The lower jaw bone of a vertebrate organism.

Used in 2 profiles

Mesozoic (Era)

Interval of geological time covering the period from around 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago. Often referred to as the 'Age of Reptiles' because dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates.

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

oesophagus

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

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.

parasphenoid

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

Used in 7 profiles