Question

Heterocercal tail is found in:
A. Cartilaginous fishes
B. Bony fishes
C. Whale
D. Amphibians

Answer 1

Hint:
The word heterocercal refers to the case in which the aquatic animal possessing the upper lobe bigger than the smaller with the vertebral column covering into the higher lobe in it. According to the research, animals require the presence of heterocercal tail, since it helps them to transmit posteroventral momentum in the water.

Complete answer:
As we mentioned earlier, a tail fin of an aquatic animal along with unequal lobes in which the vertebral column shots mount into the larger lobe is called Heterocercal tails. In reality, such types of fins are characteristic of aquatic creatures like sharks, rays, and skates. However, these animals come under the category of cartilaginous fishes. On the other hand, marine creatures like bony fishes, whales, and amphibians do not possess such types of fins. It is because they do not have tasks like the group of Cartilaginous fishes. They have no usage of heterocercal tails, and thus they don’t have any heterocercal tails in the structure of their body.

Thus, the correct answer is an option (A), 'Cartilaginous fishes'.

Note: People say the aquatic animals (shark, and some other fishes) with a heterocercal tail will have a steady balance like the other ocean creatures. It is due to the reason that the animals gain steady horizontal swimming with the help of heterocercal tails.
Also, this action produces a force of an anterodorsal reaction. In the years 1965, 1996 and later 2000, great scientists like Alexander, Lauder, and Ferry & Lauder explained the motion of heterocercal tail in respective years in detail.