,ANS2601 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 11 April 2025
Question 1 [33]
1.1 Provide the complete taxonomy of the Mozambique tilapia.
(14)
1.2 What sense organs are used by sharks for the detection of
prey? (8)
1.3 What two characteristics distinguish the skeletons of
cartilaginous fish from other vertebrates?
(2)
1.4 Name the organ/s associated with maintaining buoyancy in
bony fish. (4)
1.5 Describe a heterocercal tail.
(3)
1.6 Approximately, what percentage of sharks’ diet contains
bony fish? (2)
1.1 Complete Taxonomy of the Mozambique Tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus) (14)
The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a
freshwater fish belonging to the cichlid family. Below is
its complete taxonomic classification:
, Kingdom: Animalia – This is the broadest
classification level, including all animals.
Mozambique tilapia belongs to the kingdom of
multicellular, heterotrophic organisms.
Phylum: Chordata – This group consists of animals
that possess a notochord, dorsal nerve cord,
pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some stage in
their development.
Class: Actinopterygii – This class includes ray-finned
fish, which have fins supported by bony spines or
rays rather than fleshy lobes.
Order: Cichliformes – This order consists of fish from
the cichlid family and closely related species, known
for their adaptability to various freshwater
environments.
Family: Cichlidae – The cichlid family is a diverse
group of freshwater fish characterized by complex
behaviors, parental care, and territoriality.
Genus: Oreochromis – This genus includes several
tilapia species that exhibit mouthbrooding
reproductive behavior, in which the female protects
the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Species: Oreochromis mossambicus – This species,
commonly known as the Mozambique tilapia, is
native to Southern Africa and is widely introduced
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 11 April 2025
Question 1 [33]
1.1 Provide the complete taxonomy of the Mozambique tilapia.
(14)
1.2 What sense organs are used by sharks for the detection of
prey? (8)
1.3 What two characteristics distinguish the skeletons of
cartilaginous fish from other vertebrates?
(2)
1.4 Name the organ/s associated with maintaining buoyancy in
bony fish. (4)
1.5 Describe a heterocercal tail.
(3)
1.6 Approximately, what percentage of sharks’ diet contains
bony fish? (2)
1.1 Complete Taxonomy of the Mozambique Tilapia
(Oreochromis mossambicus) (14)
The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a
freshwater fish belonging to the cichlid family. Below is
its complete taxonomic classification:
, Kingdom: Animalia – This is the broadest
classification level, including all animals.
Mozambique tilapia belongs to the kingdom of
multicellular, heterotrophic organisms.
Phylum: Chordata – This group consists of animals
that possess a notochord, dorsal nerve cord,
pharyngeal slits, and a post-anal tail at some stage in
their development.
Class: Actinopterygii – This class includes ray-finned
fish, which have fins supported by bony spines or
rays rather than fleshy lobes.
Order: Cichliformes – This order consists of fish from
the cichlid family and closely related species, known
for their adaptability to various freshwater
environments.
Family: Cichlidae – The cichlid family is a diverse
group of freshwater fish characterized by complex
behaviors, parental care, and territoriality.
Genus: Oreochromis – This genus includes several
tilapia species that exhibit mouthbrooding
reproductive behavior, in which the female protects
the eggs and fry in her mouth.
Species: Oreochromis mossambicus – This species,
commonly known as the Mozambique tilapia, is
native to Southern Africa and is widely introduced
