System Glossary
 Glossary Search for pearl organ (Search Options)

Definition of Term

pearl organ
(English) The term pearl organ has been applied vaguely and is not apt since the structure is often not pearl colored (usually small, raised, epidermal structures on regions of the head, body, or fin rays where two individuals come in contact. May consist of aggregations of non-keratinized epidermal cells, the same with a light, superficial keratinized cuticle, or with substantial number of fully keratinized cells that are organized to form a discrete, usually conical cap. Breeding tubercles may function to maintain body contact between the sexes during spawning; in the defence of nests and territories; in the stimulation of females in courtship; and in some forms perhaps in sex and species recognition. Also called nuptial tubercles. Found in 15 families of 4 orders; Salmoniformes, Gonorhynchiformes, Cypriniformes, and Perciformes).

Other Search Engines

European Environment Agency Glossary of the European Environmental Agency
Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Britannica Highly authoritative source
EPA Terms Glossary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Google Search The largest Internet Search Engine
Google Image Search for Images related to the term
eENVplus Thesaurus Thesaurus gathering glossaries for biodiversity, environment and biogeography
A-Z Biodiversity Terms Glossary providing definitions of terms, areas and acronyms related to biodiversity, commonly used, internationally recognized where possible, well referenced, and derived from legitimate sources
Glossary Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Back to Search
Back to Top