Osteichthyes Taxonomy Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is the kingdom and phylum of both Class Chondrichthyes and Class Osteichthyes?

Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata.

What is the main difference between Class Chondrichthyes and Class Osteichthyes?

Osteichthyes have skeletons made of bone; Chondrichthyes are cartilaginous fish.

What are the two subclasses of Osteichthyes?

Subclass Actinopterygii, Subclass Sarcopterygii.

What are the general characteristics of bony fish (Osteichthyes)?

Skeleton made of bone, paired and median fins supported by rays, respiration mainly by gills, operculum protecting the gills, swim bladder often present, variation in body shape and skin coloration. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different body shapes of Osteichthyes?

Fusiform, compressed, elongated or attenuated, depressed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the fusiform body shape?

Torpedo-shaped. Signup and view all the answers

What is the compressed body shape?

Laterally flattened. Signup and view all the answers

What is the elongated or attenuated body shape?

Long body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the depressed body shape?

Dorsal-ventrally flattened. Signup and view all the answers

Which subclass of fishes is larger?

Subclass Actinopterygii. Signup and view all the answers

When were primitive Subclass Sarcopterygii abundant?

During the Devonian period, around 416-385 million years ago. Signup and view all the answers

Most of Subclass Sarcopterygii are extinct, but which ones remain?

Order Dipnoi (lungfish), Order Coelacanthiformes (coelacanths), Clade Tetrapodomorpha. Signup and view all the answers

What partially extinct taxa do tetrapods descend from?

A group of Subclass Sarcopterygii, Clade Tetrapodomorpha. Signup and view all the answers

What is Order Scombriformes known for?

Includes tuna and mackerel, with adaptations for speed and predation. Signup and view all the answers

What is Order Coelacanthiformes known for?

Coelacanth fish, large, blue-grey with low-density lipids in swim bladder. Signup and view all the answers

What does Order Salmoniformes include?

Includes salmon, trout, chars, freshwater whitefishes, and graylings. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Osteichthyes Taxonomy Overview

Kingdom Animalia and Phylum Chordata encompass both Class Chondrichthyes and Class Osteichthyes.
Key distinction: Osteichthyes possess bony skeletons, while Chondrichthyes have cartilaginous structures.

Subclasses of Osteichthyes

Subclass Actinopterygii includes ray-finned fishes.
Subclass Sarcopterygii comprises lobe-finned fishes, which are the evolutionary precursors to tetrapods.

Characteristics of Bony Fish (Osteichthyes)

Skeletons are composed of bone.
Fins, both paired and median, are supported by rays.
Gills are the primary respiratory structures, protected by an operculum.
Swim bladder is commonly present, aiding in buoyancy.
Exhibits a wide variety of body shapes and skin coloration.

Body Shapes in Osteichthyes

Fusiform: Torpedo-shaped, reducing drag for pelagic species like tuna.
Compressed: Flattened laterally for improved maneuverability, typical in coral reef inhabitants such as butterfly fish.
Elongated: Long bodies adapted for bottom-dwelling organisms, including trumpetfish and eels.
Depressed: Flattened dorsally and ventrally, allowing resting on the bottom, seen in frog fishes and gobies.

Subclasses Size Comparison

Actinopterygii is larger than Sarcopterygii in terms of species diversity.

Historical Context of Sarcopterygii

Subclass Sarcopterygii thrived during the Devonian period, approximately 416-385 million years ago.

Extant Orders within Sarcopterygii

Order Dipnoi: Known as lungfish, capable of breathing air.
Order Coelacanthiformes: Coelacanths, large with lobed fins, previously thought extinct.
Clade Tetrapodomorpha includes ancestral species of tetrapods, bridging fish and land mammals.

Characteristics of Order Scombriformes

Includes tuna and mackerel, characterized by streamlined bodies and retractable fins.
Species lengths vary significantly, from 20 cm (7.9 in) to 4.58 m (15 ft) for Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Highly adapted for speed, capable of reaching 50 mph underwater, with notable examples like the yellowfin tuna exhibiting partial warm-bloodedness.

Features of Order Coelacanthiformes

Coelacanths can grow up to 5 feet, exhibiting blue-grey coloration with white spots.
They have low-density lipids in their swim bladders and lobed fins.
Ovoviviparous reproduction with a gestation period of 11 months.
Known as a Lazarus taxon, coelacanths were rediscovered in 1938 after being presumed extinct since the Late Cretaceous.

Overview of Order Salmoniformes

Comprises salmon, trout, and related species known collectively as salmonids.
Features slender bodies, rounded scales, and forked tails, adapted for varied aquatic environments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the taxonomy of Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes, including classification and key differences. This quiz will help reinforce foundational concepts in aquatic biology and fish anatomy.