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

2. Osteichthyes
So What Do They Look Like?

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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

11. Operculum

12. Swim Bladder

13. Classes
Sarcopterygii
Actinopterygii