basal bony fishes related common names include mud pike trout regarded taxonomic sole surviving species order dates present highly evolved referred primitive fishes retained morphological characteristics early ancestors freshwater native north_america commonly found eastern united_states southern ontario quebec fossil deposits indicate widespread freshwater marine environments range spanned europe asia africa range limited eastern united_states adjacent southern canada including drainage basins mississippi_river rivers exiting gulf_of_mexico preferred habitat includes lowland rivers lakes swamps areas occasionally found water stalking ambush predators known night prey fish aquatic invertebrates aquatic insects like means capacity breathe water air gills exchange gases water allowing exploit oxygen breathing gas serves maintain allows breathe air means small connected gas break surface air allows survive conditions aquatic lethal species morphology average length females typically grow males records indicate reach length weigh young year typically grow october females tend grow larger males body elongated cylindrical sides olive brown color vertical bars dark pattern dorsal fin horizontal bars caudal fin irregular vertical bars underside white cream paired fins anal fin bright green stage total length black like appearance approximately total length described looking like miniature grow quickly typically leave nest weeks hatching young males black base tail caudal commonly encircled orange yellowish border female black present thought purpose confuse predators attacks away head fish tail opportunity escape predation named long dorsal fin consisting rays running middle base tail referred living fossils primitive fishes retained primitive characters common ancestral predecessors including modified rounded externally caudal fin highly gas lung spiral valve bony plate bony plate located underneath head exterior lower jaw sides lower jaw bone distinguishing characteristics include long sharp teeth protruding tube like nostrils unlike primitive scales differ scales large single layered scales closer similarity derived fishes similar appearance northern commonly mistaken similarities appearance noticeably elongated cylindrical shape long dorsal fin runs backs northern fishes native rivers china russia korea unlike native north_america northern considered invasive species environmentally harmful contrasting differences include black caudal tan olive coloration shorter anal fin rounded head upper jaw longer lower jaw predatory fish native streams lakes north_america commonly mistaken distinguished flat head chin long anal fin pelvic fins situated beneath pectoral fins physiology like capable extract oxygen water breathing gills break water surface breathe air small connected gas performing low level physical activity obtain half oxygen breathing air distinct air breathing mechanisms gas type air consistent action stimulated aerial aquatic regulate gas exchange type air believed regulate gas volume control helps survive maintain rate conditions rate air breathing higher darkness fish active blood adapt warm acidic waters fish inactive waters temperature breathe air increasing temperature air breathing increases preferred temperature range temperature maximum activity air breathing maximum range reported unearthed chamber inches ground surface inches diameter miles river noted flood levels previously reached area unusual species like flood currents trapped water levels documented multiple researchers laboratory experiments suggested instead incapable surviving days air exposure field manipulation performed regardless lack evidence confirming ability noted survive prolonged conditions exposure air ability breathe air gill rigid structure helps prevent collapsing aids gas exchange air exposure evolution phylogeny competing debates continue evolution relatives including relationship basal extant organization remaining member group includes extinct species families generally accepted sister group question pattern produced morphology based analyses extant different result produced fossil taxa showed recovered nuclear gene analyses independent study fossil extant fishes analysis elements extant ray fishes include orders families species currently classified fishes reed fish comprise thirty species considered species included species species comprising second major occurrence evolution ray fishes today include majority modern bony fish distinguished earlier ancestors major changes jaws shape skull tail divided divisions division order include extant species appeared cretaceous division order extant species order date period division division stem group modern fish arose including bony fish familiar today evolution contains intact gene cluster similar contrast fishes fragmented cluster probably event lineage presence intact gene cluster suggests ancestors separated fishes common ancestor appeared possibly better model study organization common model organisms feeding behavior stalking ambush predators night prey fish aquatic invertebrates aquatic insects young feed small crustaceans adults known remarkably quickly water appetite dorsal fin water stalking prey attack straight forward swift movement lasts approximately seconds distribution habitat fossil deposits indicate included freshwater marine species widely distributed north_america south_america africa today remaining species order freshwater range restricted freshwater environments north_america including eastern united_states adjacent southern canada drainage southern ontario quebec westward great lakes southern ontario minnesota historically distribution north_america included drainage basins mississippi_river quebec northern minnesota lawrence great lakes including ontario south gulf_of_mexico atlantic drainage southeastern pennsylvania texas research late 1800s 1980s suggests trend intentional non indigenous fishes ponds lakes rivers united_states time little known environmental impacts long term effects new species establishment spread result fish rescue transfer efforts importance fishes ecological balance aquatic ecosystems introductions areas considered non indigenous species included lakes rivers connecticut illinois iowa kansas kentucky maryland massachusetts missouri new_jersey new_york north_carolina pennsylvania virginia west_virginia wisconsin introductions intentional resource management way positively determine distribution resulting flood transfers typically introduced species capable predators pose threat native fishes prey preferred habitat prefer lowland rivers lakes swamps areas occasionally found water easy spot slow water abundant vegetation seek shelter roots submerged logs oxygen poor environments tolerated ability breathe air life cycle spawn spring early summer typically april june commonly night clear shallow water beds sand bars stumps logs bushes temperatures nesting spawning range males construct circular nests root clearing away leaves stems depending density surrounding vegetation tunnel like entrance diameter nests commonly range water depth spawning season fins underside male change color bright lime green courtship spawning sequence lasts hours repeat times courtship begins female approaches nest ritual consists intermittent nose bites chasing behavior male female receptive time pair lie nest deposits eggs fins movement releases occur male eggs female nest single female nests females vacate nest spawning leaving male protect eggs days nest contain eggs possibly usually related size fish isn unusual large female contain eggs eggs attach aquatic vegetation roots gravel sand hatching swim actively search food seven days required yolk sac absorption attach vegetation means organ snout remain protected parent male aggressively protect spawn day month eggs hatched able swim forage form school leave nest accompanied parent male slowly circles prevent separation reach sexually maturity years age live years wild years captivity females longer lived males diseases common parasite anchor worm small crustaceans skin bases fins consequences ranging slowed growth death lays eggs gills externally sperm passing water flow small larvae hatch develop gill tubes liver cancer fatal reported sport fish considered desirable considered fish early believed predatory nature harmful sport fish populations result efforts taken reduce numbers research proven knowledge better understanding maintaining overall balance ecosystems regulations introduced help protect maintain viable populations strong fighters prized trait game fish jaw sharp teeth requires careful handling current tackle record considered little commercial value poor meat referred soft bland poor texture considered cleaned properly smoked prepared fried years global efforts imposed strict regulations international trade particularly harvest highly prized originates imposed created lucrative markets affordable united_states including species louisiana harvested wild commercially meat processed sold marketed trade accumulation toxic substances areas united_states aquatic environments tested positive elevated levels mercury copper posted signs warnings consumption fish caught areas concentration mercury passes food chain organisms lower levels apex predators tissues larger long lived predatory fishes compared smaller short lived fishes tend concentrate mercury higher levels making safe human consumption
Bowfin