OSTEICHTYES

Respiration: draw water over 4 to 5 pairs of gills which are covered by a protective flap called operculum. Also draw water into their mouth, through the pharynx and out the gills by moving their operculum. This allows the fish to breathe while stationary || Locomotion: swimming: flexible fins allow for steering and propulsion Body covering: skin=flattened bony scales || Internal fertilization=live birth || Mucus secretion=redues drag during swimming, also conserving energy.
 * =**Phylum chordata**= || Kristina Poss, Seth Miller ||
 * **1 Examples** || The bony fish: bass, trout, perch, tuna, sunfish ||
 * **2 Habitats** || Salt water, fresh water ||
 * **3 Mode of feeding, digestive, excretory** || Short and expandable digestive system allowing large objects to be swallowed ||
 * **4 Internal Transport****( circulation & respiration)** || Circulation: heart has 2 chambers, oxygenated blood flows from gills to organs through veins, arteries, capillaries
 * **5 Symmetry & Support,**===Locomotion, body covering=== || Bilateral symmetry
 * **6 Fertilization &Reproduction****(sexual/ asexual)** || Sexual, yet fertilization varies. Most are oviparous, reproducing by external fertilization after female releases lots of small eggs. However, some use internal fertilization. ||
 * **7 Body Forms (life stage forms)** || Depending on reproduction. External fertilization= egg
 * **8 Defense / senses/ response to environment** || Fins, allow for movement in danger; the dorsal fin of many fish is ridged and sharp, which makes contact with the dorsal fin dangerous. Glands in skin secret mucus, creating sliminess which allows for easy swimming. ||
 * **9 Nervous system** || Brain, spinal cord ||
 * **10 Importance (how it fits in to** **the world)** || They are in almost every salt and fresh body of water, signal importance to the ecosystem. ||
 * **Misc.** || Adaptations: swim bladder=air sac which controls buoyancy. this allows energy to be conserved by allowing the fish to remain motionless.

http://www1.umn.edu/news/features/2010/UR_CONTENT_175431.html A fascinating look at the differing body shapes of osteichtyes. ||