What structural detail regarding the anal spines is unique to the Yellow Bass within the Morone genus?
Answer
The second and third anal spines are approximately equal in length
Beyond standard counts like the number of soft anal rays, a specific relationship between the hard spines of the anal fin helps confirm the identity of *Morone mississippiensis* within its genus. The Yellow Bass exhibits a unique characteristic where the second and third of its anal spines are almost identical in length, being nearly equal to one another. This precise measurement relationship serves as a highly reliable, structural differentiator when comparing it against other bass species, providing a constant identifier even when external markings might be obscured or misleading.
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