• SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    8 hours ago

    Source?

    Because all the sources I’ve come across say that “fish” is not a monophylatic classification and is essentially arbitrary.

      • SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        5 hours ago

        … and Wikipedia states that the category of “fish” is paraphylatic, meaning that it is defined by convention rather than ‘fact’ and its boundaries can be argued, since it excludes some of the descendants of fish.

        also, as pointed out by another commenter, we use the word fish to describe lots of things that are not included in this definition, like starfish and crayfish.

        • DancingBear@midwest.social
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          5 hours ago

          So you’re suggesting that because we all evolved from a sesspool swamp we are all fish?

          I’m down

          Trees also do not have a real definition. But you think you know what a tree is.

          Fish have a more strict definition than trees.

          I provided you a source please name a fish that is an invertebrate or what not that is really cool and has the backbone in some other genetically cool place

          • SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            4 hours ago

            Having recently learned about trees, I actually don’t think I know what a tree is. at least, not enough to create a reasonable, non-blurry definition of “tree.”

            You’ve defined fish as being vertebrates, and as such I cannot find an invertebrate that fits that definition. But what you can’t do is just say the word “fish” and expect me to know what you mean - you have to provide a definition, and I could provide a different definition in a different context and neither of us would really be “wrong.”

            If you did just say “fish” without providing a definition, I would be tempted to either exclude sharks or include crabs, depending on context.