Shiner (fish)

Shiner is a common name used in North America for any of several kinds of small, usually silvery fish, in particular a number of cyprinids, but also e.g. the shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata).

Cyprinid shiners are:

Notropis maculatus, an eastern shiner

Notropis maculatus, an eastern shiner

Flagfin shiner (Pteronotropis signipinnis)

Flagfin shiner (Pteronotropis signipinnis)

Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas)

Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata)

Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata)

See also

Jasper Fish

Jasper Fish (buried 28 July 1791 at Sevenoaks, Kent) was a noted professional cricketer in the 18th century who was chiefly associated with Kent in the 1760s and 1770s.

Most of his career took place before cricket's statistical record began with regular scorecards in 1772 and he is recorded in only three major cricket matches in 1769, 1773 and 1777.

References

External sources

Fish anatomy

Fish anatomy is the study of the form or morphology of fishes. It can be contrasted with fish physiology, which is the study of how the component parts of fish function together in the living fish. In practice, fish anatomy and fish physiology complement each other, the former dealing with the structure of a fish, its organs or component parts and how they are put together, such as might be observed on the dissecting table or under the microscope, and the latter dealing with how those components function together in the living fish.

The anatomy of fish is often shaped by the physical characteristics of water, the medium in which fish live. Water is much denser than air, holds a relatively small amount of dissolved oxygen, and absorbs more light than air does. The body of a fish is divided into a head, trunk and tail, although the divisions between the three are not always externally visible. The skeleton, which forms the support structure inside the fish, is either made of cartilage, in cartilaginous fish, or bone in bony fish. The main skeletal element is the vertebral column, composed of articulating vertebrae which are lightweight yet strong. The ribs attach to the spine and there are no limbs or limb girdles. The main external features of the fish, the fins, are composed of either bony or soft spines called rays, which with the exception of the caudal fins, have no direct connection with the spine. They are supported by the muscles which compose the main part of the trunk. The heart has two chambers and pumps the blood through the respiratory surfaces of the gills and on round the body in a single circulatory loop. The eyes are adapted for seeing underwater and have only local vision. There is an inner ear but no external or middle ear. Low frequency vibrations are detected by the lateral line system of sense organs that run along the length of the sides of fish, and these respond to nearby movements and to changes in water pressure.

Fish physiology

Fish physiology is the scientific study of how the component parts of fish function together in the living fish. It can be contrasted with fish anatomy, which is the study of the form or morphology of fishes. In practice, fish anatomy and physiology complement each other, the former dealing with the structure of a fish, its organs or component parts and how they are put together, such as might be observed on the dissecting table or under the microscope, and the later dealing with how those components function together in the living fish.

Respiration

Most fish exchange gases using gills on either side of the pharynx (throat). Gills are tissues which consist of threadlike structures called filaments. These filaments have many functions and "are involved in ion and water transfer as well as oxygen, carbon dioxide, acid and ammonia exchange. Each filament contains a capillary network that provides a large surface area for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide. Fish exchange gases by pulling oxygen-rich water through their mouths and pumping it over their gills. In some fish, capillary blood flows in the opposite direction to the water, causing countercurrent exchange. The gills push the oxygen-poor water out through openings in the sides of the pharynx.

Shiner (surname)

Shiner is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:

See also

Shiner (Ottawa)

Shiners were gangs of Irish immigrants that formed in the early days of Bytown, later Ottawa, mainly active during the 1830s.

After the completion of the Rideau Canal in 1832, many Irish workers were left unemployed. The timber industry, the major economic activity in the region at the time, mainly employed French-Canadian labourers, who were reputed to be hard-working and better skilled. Out of frustration, some of the unemployed banded together to try to create jobs for themselves by intimidation. This started the Shiners' War. At this time, the town of Bytown did not have a permanent police force. From street fights, the violence escalated into robbery and murder. James Johnston, a prominent businessman and journalist, was beaten and his home was attacked.

One of the lumber barons, Peter Aylen, only employed Irish workers and called himself "King of the Shiners". The legendary Joseph Montferrand took the side of the French-Canadians.

In 1837, the town magistrates formed armed patrols to monitor the town at night. This largely put an end to the gangs and violence, although some outbreaks continued to occur into the 1840s.

Shiner (2000 film)

Shiner is a 2000 released film written by Scott Cherry and directed by John Irvin and starred Michael Caine and Martin Landau. It was shot in London.

Plot

The story centers on Billy "Shiner" Simpson (Caine) a boxing promoter banned from legitimate fights until he finds a promising start in his son Eddie. The night of the fight sees Eddie killed, and Simpson suspects rival Frank Spedding (Landau). Billy seeks revenge, only to grow mad as his suspicions draw closer to home.

Cast

Reception

Jane Crowther of the BBC said, "A Lear-like construction serves well to show the gradual unraveling of a ruthlessly ambitious man trading on familial loyalty and past glory."

The score by Paul Grabowsky effectively creates a disturbing and sinister mood.

References