WFC 120

Teleostei

taxonomic subclass of Actinopterygii that includes 96% of all modern fish

classified by homocercal tail, moveable premaxilla, thinner/flexible scales, fin rays

less bone mass

Osteoglossomorpha

superorder of Teleostei also known as the “bonytongues” that includes Elephantfish, Arapaima, and Arowana

classified by bony tongues with teeth (shear and shred prey) and relatively primitive features

Elephantfish

taxonomic group under Osteoglossomorpha

generate weak electric field to detect prey

not to be confused with marine elephantfish, a term for Chimaeras

Arapaima

taxonomic group under Osteoglossomorpha

large, surface OBLIGATE air-breathers

mouthbrooders, meaning the males incubate eggs in mouth

surface predators

Arowanas

taxonomic group under Osteoglossomorpha

large, surface FACULTATIVE air-breathers

mouthbrooders, meaning the males incubate eggs in mouth

surface predators

Elopomorpha

superorder of Teleostei that includes Eels and Tarpons

unique flat, transparent larvae known as Leptocephalus larvae

Eels

taxonomic group under Elopomorpha

notably characterized by Leptocephalus larvae, anguilliform body shape, and swim bladder

semelparous and catadromous (spawn in sea, live in freshwater)

Tarpons

taxonomic group under Elopomorpha

classified by Leptocephalus larvae, fusiform body shape, and vascular swim bladder (air-breathing)

Ostariophysi

second largest superorder of teleost fish (30% all fish, 70% all freshwater fish)

includes orders Characiformers, Siluriformes, and Cypriniformes

characterized by breeding tubercles (keratin bumps found on males during breeding), weberian apparatus (sound amplified by connecting swim bladder to inner ear), and Schreckstoff (chemical alarm signal released when tissue damage occurs)

Characiformes

taxonomic group under Ostariophysi

small pelagic foragers; piranhas, tetras

omnivores and frugivores with teeth modified for crushing

Siluriformes

taxonomic group under Ostariophysi known as the catfishes

classified by a lack of scales (smooth) and sensory barbels

Cypriniformes

taxonomic group under Ostariophysi that includes minnows, carp, goldfish, suckers, etc.

no teeth on jaw, instead well-developed teeth of pharyngeal jaws and improved jaw protrusion

Clupeomorpha

superorder of Teleostei that includes herrings, shad, sardines, anchovies (mostly small, marine forage fish)

up to 1/3 of all commercial fish catch (overfished via purse seine)

Protocanthopterygii

superorder of Teleostei that includes salmon, trout, smelt, and pike under the orders Esociformes, Osmeriformes, and Salmoniformes

Esociformes

order under Protocanthopterygii that includes pike, pickerels, mudminnows

characterized by a toothless maxilla (upper jaw) with teeth on tongue and palate

two families: Esocidae (pike and pickerel) and Umbridae (mudminnows)

Esocidae

family of Esociformes in the order Protocanthopterygii that includes pike and pickerel

classified by sagittiform body plan, ambush predation

popular game fish

Umbrids

family of Esociformes in the order Protocanthopterygii that includes mudminnows, NOT true minnows

can burrow into mud and estivate, therefore tolerant of extreme conditions such as low dissolved oxygen, wide pH range

Osmeriformes

order under Protocanthopterygii that includes smelts

small forage fish that mostly spawn in freshwater, anadromous

smell like cucumber