The Bony Fishes Mr. Seifert Marine Ecology Osteichthyes The Bony Fishes Mr. Seifert Marine Ecology

Osteichthyes So What Do They Look Like?

Taxonomic Classification Domain: Kingdom: Phylum: Subphylum: Superclass: Eukarya Animalia Chordata Vertebrata Osteichthyes

The Superclass Osteicthyes are commonly referred to as the… “The Bony Fishes”

Osteichthyes General Characteristics: Over 31,000 species accounting for more than half of all vertebrates. Scales: Ganoid, Cycloid and Ctenoid Operculum: gill covering Swim Bladder: buoyancy regulation Reproductive Strategies: oviparous, ovoviviparous and viviparous

Placoid Scales Dermal Denticles Covered in enamel Tough scales with their tips facing backward Protection Hydrodynamic CHONDRICHTHYES ONLY

Ganoid Scales Not as old as the placoid scales Diamond shaped Thick, hard and rigid Jointed connections Found in lower fishes: bichirs, bowfin, paddlefish, gar and sturgeon

Cycloid Scales Round with a smooth inferior edge Superior edge of each scale is overlapped by inferior edge of the scale in front Thin Covered with an epidermal layer and a mucosal layer Growth Rings: scale grows as fish ages

Ctenoid Scales Similar to cycloid scales with one major distinction Round with an inferior edge with the appearance of a comb Increases hydrodynamics

Scaleless Fishes Sacrifice the protection of scales for increased mobility Are coated with a protective slime

Operculum

Swim Bladder

Classes Sarcopterygii Actinopterygii