Name Okunlola A

Name: Okunlola Ayomide Ezekiel
Department:Forest Production and Products

Matric No: 230649
Course code:AFM211
Assignment
1. Here are examples and few descriptions of Sharks.

i. Great White Shark
Great White Sharks represent one of the most iconic shark varieties. They are sizable, predatory
sharks with a sleek body and a pointed snout. Their upper body displays a grayish-blue coloration,
aiding in blending with the ocean when viewed from above, while their white underbelly accounts
for their "Great White" name. These sharks are renowned for their formidable jaws filled with
sharp, serrated teeth, and they hold the position of apex predators, inhabiting the coastal waters of
various oceans.
ii Hammerhead Sharks are easily identifiable due to their distinct T-shaped head, referred to as a
cephalofoil. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned at the tips of this hammer-like extension,
granting them an excellent field of vision and sense of smell. Typically, Hammerhead Sharks
exhibit light to olive green or grayish-brown hues, boasting a slender and agile body. They are
commonly found in warm coastal waters, known for their proficient hunting skills.
iii The Whale Shark ranks as the largest known existing fish species. Despite its colossal
dimensions, it practices filter-feeding. Its wide mouth can extend up to 4 feet (1.2 meters), primarily
consuming plankton and small fish. Whale Sharks feature a distinct pattern of light spots and
stripes against a dark background, unique to each individual and useful for identification.
Surprisingly, despite their immense size, they are celebrated for their gentle and placid nature.
2. Examples of Ray Fishes include:
i Manta Rays renowned for their large and graceful presence. They possess triangular pectoral
fins resembling wings, enabling smooth gliding through the water. Manta Rays exhibit a broad, flat
body, which can span up to 23 feet (7 meters) in width. These filter feeders consume substantial
amounts of plankton as they swim. Their coloration typically consists of black on the upper side
and white on the underside, and they are distributed in tropical and subtropical oceans globally.
ii Stingrays are flattened rays known for their distinct diamond-shaped bodies. They possess long,
whip-like tails with a sharp, venomous spine at the base, which they use for self-defense and can
deliver a painful sting when threatened. Stingrays are primarily bottom-dwellers, adept at
camouflaging themselves in sandy or muddy habitats. They exhibit a wide size range, with some
species being relatively small, while others, such as the Giant Freshwater Stingray, can grow to
substantial dimensions.
iii Electric Rays also referred to as torpedo rays, form a unique group of rays with the capability to
produce electric shocks for both self-defense and hunting. They possess specialized organs known
as electrocytes, responsible for generating electric discharges. Electric Rays have rounded bodies
and are typically well-camouflaged to blend into their surroundings. They are predominantly found
in coastal waters and primarily consume fish and invertebrates.
3. Ratfish, alternatively known as chimaeras or ghost sharks, are deep-sea fish belonging to the
Chimaeriformes order. Here are three examples with their descriptions:
i. Rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa):

The rabbitfish, also called the ratfish, boasts a distinctive appearance resembling a rabbit, attributed
to its large, buck-toothed mouth. It possesses a lengthy, tapering body covered in smooth, leathery
skin, large pectoral fins resembling wings, a single dorsal fin featuring a venomous spine, and an
extended, whip-like tail. These fish inhabit deep-sea environments, typically residing in oceanic
waters at depths ranging from 200 to 2,000 meters. Their primary diet consists of small fish and
invertebrates.
ii Spookfish (Hydrolagus spp.):

Spookfish earn their name due to their eerie appearance and their habitat in the deep, dark ocean
depths. They exhibit a slender body, large eyes, and a unique retractable feeding apparatus on their
snout. Spookfish possess a venomous spine located in front of their dorsal fin, which they employ
for self-defense. They are well-suited to low-light environments and possess specialized eyes
capable of detecting bioluminescent prey in the deep sea. Spook fish are found in deep waters
worldwide, typically residing below 200 meters.
iii. Pluto Fish (Harriotta haeckeli):

The Pluto fish, commonly referred to as the ghost shark, exhibits an unusual appearance
characterized by its flattened body and sizable, wing-like pectoral fins. With a pointed snout and a
small mouth, it presents a somewhat alien-like visage. Pluto fish are equipped with a venomous
spine on their dorsal fin and notably lack an anal fin. These creatures are typically found in the
depths of the ocean, usually dwelling between 500 to 2,000 meters beneath the ocean's surface.
They primarily sustain themselves by preying on small fish and invertebrates, employing
specialized jaws to crush their prey. These ratfishes serve as fascinating examples of deep-sea
inhabitants, well-adapted to surviving in the challenging and dimly lit realms of the ocean depths.
4 Cartilaginous fishes, which encompass species like sharks and rays, and bony fishes,
constituting the majority of common fish species, differ across several key aspects:
a. Skeleton:
- Cartilaginous fishes possess cartilaginous skeletons, which are lighter and more flexible than
bone.
- Bony fishes feature skeletons composed of bone, offering greater support and structure.
b. Gills:
- Cartilaginous fishes sport multiple gill openings on the sides of their bodies.
- Bony fishes commonly possess a gill cover known as an operculum, which shields their gills.
c. Scales:
- Cartilaginous fishes are covered in placoid scales, also known as dermal denticles, resembling
small, tooth-like scales that impart a rough texture to their skin.
- Bony fishes display cycloid or ctenoid scales, which are thinner and more flexible than placoid
scales.
d. Reproduction:
- Cartilaginous fishes either give birth to live young (viviparous) or lay eggs enclosed in leathery
cases (oviparous).
- Bony fishes predominantly lay eggs, with a variety of coverings such as adhesive substances or
gelatinous materials.
e. Buoyancy:
- Cartilaginous fishes regulate their buoyancy through large, oil-filled livers in the water.
- Bony fishes employ a swim bladder, a gas-filled organ, to control their buoyancy and maintain
their position in the water column.
f. Fins:
- Cartilaginous fishes often have large pectoral fins used for steering and lift.
- Bony fishes feature a range of fin types, including dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins,
each serving specific functions related to movement and stability.
g. Habitat:
- Cartilaginous fishes inhabit both marine and freshwater environments, with numerous species
residing in the open ocean.
- Bony fishes are versatile, thriving in a wide array of habitats, including freshwater lakes, rivers,
oceans, and coral reefs

Name Okunlola A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name Okunlola A

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name Okunlola A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Name: Okunlola Ayomide Ezekiel

Department:Forest Production and Products

1. Here are examples and few descriptions of Sharks.

2. Examples of Ray Fishes include:

i. Rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa):

ii Spookfish (Hydrolagus spp.):

iii. Pluto Fish (Harriotta haeckeli):

You might also like