Whaler Sharks - seafdec.org.my

18 S h a r k s a n d R a y s o f B o r n e o
scythe-like – shaped like a scythe; long and narrowly curved.
seine – a fishing net that hangs vertically in water column and encircles fish when its
ends are drawn together.
serrate – saw-like.
snout – part of head in front of eyes.
species – actually or potentially inter-breeding populations that are reproductively
isolated from other populations.
spine – a sharp projecting point.
spiracle – a respiratory opening behind the eye in sharks and rays.
spiracular fold – fold of skin present on the hind margin of the spiracular opening in
some ray species.
spot – a regularly shaped or rounded area of a colour different to adjacent areas.
squalene – oil produced from the liver of some sharks.
stellate – star-shaped.
stinging spine – large, serrated bony structure on the tail of some rays.
stripe – a contrasting longitudinal pattern in the form of a line.
subcircular – almost circular.
subequal – almost equal.
substrate – the substance forming the bottom of the sea or ocean.
subterminal – positioned near but not at end of an object.
supraorbital crests – enlarged ridges above the eyes.
sympatric – living together in the same geographic area.
symphysis (adj. symphysial) – relating to medial junction of either the upper or lower
jaw.
synonym (adj. synonymous) – each of two or more scientific names of the same rank
used to denote the same taxon.
tail – part of fish between cloaca and origin of the caudal fin.
taxonomy – the science of classification of plants and animals.
taxon – any formal taxonomic unit or category of organisms (genus, species, etc.)