• Home
  • Stephen F. Austin State University
  • Vertebrate Natural History FORS2355
  • Vertebrate Natural History

Vertebrate Natural History

FORS2355 Vertebrate Natural History Lab 1 Video: Fish Species August 24, 2021 Paddlefish Polyodon spathula . Class:Actinopterygii . Order:Acipenseriformes : Family: Polyodontidae Large; to 2.2 m (7 ft),91 kg (200 Ib) -- Shark-like dorsal/caudal fins - Long, flat, paddle-shaped snout; unmistakable -- Blue-gray above, mottled; whitish below Gars : Class:Actinopterygii : Order: Lepisosteiformes : Family: Lepisosteidae - Medium- to large-sized I-3m (3 -10ft) Minnows : Class:Actinopterygii . Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae -- Variable-sized; small to large A few in. to several ft. - Largest Family of fishes Morphologically diverse - I dorsal fin towards middle of back -- Abdominal pelvic fins Suckers : Class:Actinopterygii - Order: Cypriniformes : Family: Catostomidae -- Subterminal mouth -- Soft rays on fins - Cycloid scales -- No scales on head -- Redhorses have papillose or plicate lips Bullhead catfishes : Class:Actinopterygii . Order: Siluriformes : Family: Ictaluridae - Mouth with 4 pairs of barbels -- Spines at dorsal, pectoral fin origins; pelvic fin - Scaleless -- Adipose fin -- soft fleshy fin behind dorsal