Gila trout (Salmo gilae) is a very local species found only in a few river systems in New Mexico and Arizona. This small trout rarely exceeds 12 inches in length. There are numerous black spots above the lateral line. This is now protected as an endangered species.

Salmon genus, Salmo, is represented in North America by two species: the Atlantic Salmon of the northern Atlantic and the brown trout of Eurasian origin. The Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is under severe environmental pressures in the southern portions of its range. The introduced brown trout is frequently stocked. The Salmo, Salvelinus, and Oncorhynchus genera are closely related. Many of the species in these genera are easily recognizable by their color patterns. There has been a movement of the trout from the Salmo genus into the Oncorhynchus genus.

Salmon Family, Salmonidae, is known for the trout and the salmon groups, both of which are considered good sport and table fish. Recently several hybrids have been introduced into the Great Lakes, especially Lake Michigan, with great success as a sport and commercial fish. Salmon and trout are primitive fish and lack bony spines in their fins.

Salmon Group, Order Salmoniformes, is found worldwide in oceans. It is also found in freshwater in many places in North America. A great number of the large game and sport fish are found in this order.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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