The Fishes: Vertebrate Success in Water

Chapter 18

Zoology

Fish: A Long History

The earliest fossils are from 500 million years ago. Highly evolved/adapted for living in water environments.

Water and Fish

Water covers about 75% of the Earths surface. By volume, only .009% is freshwater However, 41% of fish species are freshwater

Water Presents Unique Challenges

How to move around

How to get air

How to float

How to sense what is around me

Movement

Fish Shape- Fish are streamlined to minimize resistance. Fish Skin- It is slimy, covered with mucous secretions to reduce friction Fish Paddles- The fins of fish allow for movement.

Gas Exchange

Water has 2.5% the free oxygen as air. Gills- Need to be very efficient at gas exchange.

They are composed of lots of tiny folds called lamellae. Capillary beds move in opposite direction to water flow allowing for countercurrent exchange of oxygen.

Diagram of Gas Exchange

Gas Exchange (Cont.)

Water needs to be constantly moved over the gills.

Ram Ventilation- Adaptation of swimming with mouth open. Operculum- A gill covering that can pump in water.

How to float

Floating/Sinking is dependent on density.

Float=Less dense than water Sink=More dense than water Low density oils Low density bones Fins Pneumatic sacs- lungs or swim bladder that can be filled with air.

4 Methods for floating

Sensory Functions

Fish have eyes, nose, and ears Additionally

Lateral line system- collection of sensory nerves that run in a line along the sides of fish. Can sense currents or predator/prey movements.
Electroreception-Detection of electrical fields from nerves and muscles of the other organisms.

Fish Adaptations

Where did all the fish adaptations come from?

Evolution caused by natural selection.

Evolution can lead to the formation of new species, called speciation.

Natural selection- Idea that an organisms environment causes the best adapted to survival and thus pass on their traits.

Survival of the fittest

Diversity of Fish

The diversity of fish is thought to have arose from adaptive radiation. Adaptive radiationWhen an original ancestor diverges into many different species.

Subphylum Hyperotreti

Hagfish Most primitive fish No true vertebrate Slimy Secretions Live as scavengers of dying fish

Class Agnatha

(a- = not, without; gnatho = jaw) The lampreys. Dont have jaws, often parasitic The most primitive form of fish with a true vertebrate
Lamprey

Two Classes of Jawed Fish

Class Osteichthyes Bony Fish Class Chondrichthyes Cartilage Fish Two different responses to selection pressures.

Each have advantages and disadvantages.

Class Chondrichthyes Cartilage Fish

(chondro = cartilage; ichthys = fish) Sharks and rays They have a cartilage skeleton, not bone. Their backbone extends into their caudal fin

Class Chondrichthyes Cont.

Advanced Electroreception They also fertilize internally.

Produce fewer eggs, less young tend to die.

Lack operculum, lungs, and swim bladder

Class Osteichthyes Bony Fish

(osteo = bone) Bony fish. 24,000 Species Operculum Swim bladder or lungs 90% of members fertilize externally.

Lots of eggs

THE END!