Blackfish (Tautoga onitis)

The tautog belongs to the animal kingdom. In addition, it occurs within the following Linnaean taxonomic subgroups: Phylum Chordata, Class Actinopterygii, Order Perciformes, and Family Labridae. Members of the Chordata phylum are characterized by the presence of a notochord (6:23). In fish this nervous system structure is enclosed within a bony vertebral column. Class Actinopterygii comprises the ray-finned fishes (6:76). Tautogs also belong to an extremely diverse order. The order, Perciformes contains most vertebrate ocean life. Indeed, the order is the largest of all the vertebrates. It includes 18 suborders, 148 families, about 1,496 genera, and approximately 9,293 species (6:329-330).

Tautogs belong to the family Labridae, or the wrasse family. Like the order Perciformes, the family Labridae is also quite diverse. However, some characteristics which the wrasses do have in common include the following: (1) a protractile mouth; (2) separate jaw teeth which usually project outward; (3) dorsal fins with 8-21 spines (usually fewer than 15) and 6-21 soft rays; (4) large to moderate cycloid scales; (5) a continuous, uninterrupted lateral l

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:393). Tautogs and cunner are the only labrids that occur in the northwest Atlantic (10:59-65). Tautogs, in particular, are distributed from Nova Scotia to South Carolina (1:653). However, they are most common from Cape Cod south to Delaware. The fish can be found around Cape Cod from about late May and mid-June through September. In the fall, they tend to be plentiful around Rhode Island (4:148). Tautogs can generally be found along steep rocky shores. They prefer ledges and musselbeds (4:148). Their habitat, however, may stretch from the surf zone to about 2 miles offshore. Tautogs prefer bottom areas. However, they typically live at depths of less than 60 feet (18 meters) (1:653). In the company of cunner, tautogs may be found near wrecks and around piers. Both fish are highly dependent on shelter. They therefore tend to live near any bottom discontinuity which might provide cover (10:59-65). Like most wrasse, the tautogs are active during the daytime. Although labrids are usually non-schooling fishes, the fish sometimes occur in small groups which can include cunner. In general, the wrasses tend to have "vile dispositions (2:203-204)." The well-developed incisor or canine teeth of some species protrude
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Rhode Island, Indian Pacific, Class Actinopterygii, June July, York Jersey, Blackfish Tautoga, Labridae Chordata, Cape Cod, Koulish Sex, Offutt Response, tautoga onitis, york ny, family labridae, fishes world, levator posterior, marine fishes, levator posterior muscles, posterior muscles, lower jaw, perciformes family labridae, neurocranium lower, crushing forces, nelson fishes world, york ny john, john wiley sons,
Approximate Word count = 1800
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)