Form & Function
This external feature helps fish sense vibrations and movement in water.
What is the lateral line?
This is the most common trout species in BC and also has an anadromous form called Steelhead.
What is Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)?
The largest group of fish, with over 95% of all known species.
What are teleosts?
This feeding type uses suction and negative pressure to draw in prey.
What is suction feeding?
The majority of Canada’s wildlife species are found in this province.
What is British Columbia?
The type of scales found on trout and salmon.
What are cycloid scales?
This small rodent stores mushrooms and creates extensive tunnel systems in conifer forests.
What is the Red-backed Vole?
This tail shape is most efficient for fast swimming in open water.
What is a homocercal tail?
Fish with long, fine gill rakers likely have this feeding strategy.
What is filter feeding?
The four modes of heat loss in animals.
What are radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation?
The fin type used primarily for propulsion.
What is the caudal fin?
This sculpin species is commonly found in fast-flowing, cold mountain streams.
What is Torrent Sculpin (Cottus rhotheus)?
A form of locomotion used by eels where waves pass down the entire body.
What is anguilliform locomotion?
Name two dietary categories for fish based on feeding habits.
What are carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, or detritivore?
This group of mammals uses the subnivean space in winter to conserve energy.
What are small mammals (e.g., voles, red squirrels)?
These structures increase digestive surface area and are often found in carnivorous fish.
What are pyloric caeca?
This mammal has a hider strategy for its young and is often associated with forest edge habitat.
What is a Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)?
This group of mammals evolved highly efficient blubber and flippers to adapt to a fully aquatic lifestyle.
What are Cetaceans (Order Cetacea)?
Fish that use ram feeding typically have this kind of body shape.
What is fusiform (rover-predator)?
This part of the ruminant digestive system contains bacteria that break down cellulose.
What is the rumen?
Fish with this mouth position usually feed on benthic prey or algae.
What is an inferior or subterminal mouth?
This anadromous fish has large teeth, vertical bars, and spawns in the fall in BC rivers.
What is Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)?
This form of allopatric speciation is driven by geographic separation during glaciation events.
What is vicariance?
These structures help fish hold and process food in the throat and are modified in shell crushers.
What are pharyngeal teeth?
This microhabitat traps heat and reduces nighttime heat loss for deer and other wildlife.
What is under-canopy vegetation (greenhouse effect)?