1.1 Fish Taxonomy

• identify fish species in aquatic environments
• explain the nomenclature/naming of fishes
• compare external features of common fish species in Kenya
• appreciate the diversity of fish

“How can you identify fish species using external body features?”

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1. What is fish taxonomy?
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain what fish taxonomy is and why it matters.
2. Fish diversity in aquatic environments
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the diversity of fish in freshwater and marine habitats.
3. Common names and why they confuse
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain why common names are not enough for identifying fish.
4. Binomial nomenclature
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Explain the two-part system of naming species.
5. Scientific names of common Kenyan fish
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Match common Kenyan fish to their scientific names.
6. External body features of a fish
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Name and locate the main external features of a fish.
7. Fins: types and functions
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Describe the fins of a fish and their functions.
8. Scale types
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Identify the common types of fish scales.
9. The lateral line: continuous or broken
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Use the lateral line to help identify fish.
10. Barbels: presence and absence
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use barbels to tell catfish from fish without barbels.
11. Comparing common fish species in Kenya
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Compare the external features of common Kenyan fish.
12. Using a dichotomous key
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Use paired choices in a key to identify a fish.
13. The main groups of fish
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Describe the three main groups of fish.
14. Identifying fish at a landing site
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Plan and carry out a field visit to identify fish.
15. Fish diversity, conservation and review
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Review the node and explain why taxonomy helps conservation.