chondrichthyes
Biology:
The great white sharks reproduce almost every 3 years. The females do not reproduce until they reach about 4.5 to 5 meters in length, and litter sizes range from two to ten pups. The great white sharks feed predominately on fish but will also consume turtles, mollusks, crustaceans and are active hunters of cetaceans such as dolphins and porpoises, and other mammals like seals and sea lions. Morphology Great White Sharks are the largest predatory fish on earth. They grow and average of 15 feet in length, though some specimens exceeding 20 feet in length weighing up to 5,000 pounds. They have slate-gray bodies to blend in with the rocky coastal sea floor. They Get there name from there white underbellies. The Great White shark has a bilateral symmetry. Distribution Map Ecological
Great White sharks play an important role in the ocean. They help keeping the population of fish healthy. They mainly hunt the wounded, old, sick, slower fishes. Economical The Great White shark's teeth are very expensive reaching up to $10,000. There Skin is used for making leather shoes or wallets because there skin is harder then cow skin. There flesh is used to make certain type of soup. Facts Since 1950, Sharks have been studied focused on their immune system. Amazingly sharks are the only creatures immune against cancer. Which could lead up to a cure for tumors. Due to many people hunting Great White sharks they were are in the endangered section and are being protected by many government like South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Malta, California and Florida. Gestation- the state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth. Cetaceans- a group of comprising all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Dorsal fin- In fish, the unpaired fin found on the back of the body. Pelagic- inhabiting the open oceans. Bycatch- in the fishing industry, the part of catch made up of non-target species. |
OSTEICHTHYES
Biology
The common lion-fish are native to coral reefs in the warm, tropical waters in the Southern Pacific and Indian Ocean. The common lion-fish feeds on a wide variety of small fish, shrimps and crabs. It hunts primarily at night, stalking and ambushing its prey by spreading the pectoral fins out wide and corralling its prey into a corner, before rapidly swallowing it whole. During the non-breeding season the males aggregate with multiple of females forming a circle. The female lionfish releases two mucus-filled egg clusters, each containing between 2,000 and 15,000 eggs, which are fertilised externally by the male. Morphology All lion-fish do share some common morphological traits which include large heads, mouths, and eyes, as well as a bony ridge running from the eye across the cheek (known as the suborbital stay). Long, non-venomous rays are present on the pectoral fins, and of course, there are the stiff, dagger like dorsal, pelvic, and ventral fin spines which deliver the painful punch of the confiscation venom. The toxicity of this venom varies from family to family, with lion fish being the least toxic and stone fish being the most toxic, and in some cases, deadly. Description Map Ecological
Well the lion fish are spreading wildly. They are eating the fishes and damaging the coral reefs. Economical By reducing populations of grouper and other commercially valuable species, lion fish may damage the economies of island communities dependent upon fishing. Lion fish may also impact local tourism, an economic mainstay of many Caribbean island nations. Facts Lion fish are considered a particularly nasty invasive species because they chow down on native fish—a lot of native fish. It’s venomous, voracious, and taking over reefs across the western Atlantic. Since lion fish have no major predators, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is encouraging the public to catch and eat them by the dozens to help reduce the population. Fertilization The fusion of gametes (male and female reproductive cells) to produce an embryo, which grows into a new individual. Gland An organ that makes and secretes substances used by the body. Larvae Stage in an animal’s life cycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce. Lateral line A row of receptors that can detect movement via vibrations in water. The receptors are typically embedded in the skin, and in fish they form a line along the sides of the body. Territorial Describes an animal, a pair of animals or a colony that occupies and defends an area. |