Elopiformes

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Osteichthyes
Classis: Actinopterygii
Subclassis: Neopterygii
Infraclassis: Teleostei
Superordo: Elopomorpha
Ordo: Elopiformes
Familia: Elopidae - Megalopidae

Vernacular names

References

* FishBase link : ordo Elopiformes (Mirror site)

Elopiformes (pronounced /ɨˌlɒpɨˈfɔrmiːz/) is the order of ray-finned fish that includes the tarpons, tenpounders, and ladyfish, as well as a number of extinct types. They have a long fossil record, easily distinguished from other fishes by the presence of an additional set of bones in the throat.[1]

They are related to the order of eels, although the adults resemble herrings in appearance. The larvae, however, are leptocephali, looking very similar to those of eels.[1]

Classification

Although many fossil forms are known, the order is relatively small today, containing just two genera and eight species:[2]

Order Elopiformes

* Family Elopidae (Ladyfish)
o Genus Elops (6 species)
* Family Megalopidae (Tarpons)
o Genus Megalops (2 species)

References

1. ^ a b c McCosker, John F. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N.. ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
2. ^ Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2009). "Elopiformes" in FishBase. January 2009 version.

* Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Elopiformes" in FishBase. May 2006 version.
* Mikko's Phylogeny for Elopiformes