Nelson, J.S., 1994

Cyprinodontiformes rivulines, killifishes and live bearers

Teleostei

Beloniformes 45 M years

Carroll, R., 1988  |  Helfman, G., B. Collette and D. Facey, 1997

early Tertiary

Marine

Fresh

Brackish

Monophyly of this order is recognized on the basis of several derived characters: e.g., caudal fin symmetrical, supported internally by one epural; first pleural rib on second vertebrae rather than third; primitively, low-set pectoral girdle with a scalelike postcleithrum; an alveolar arm of the premaxillae; extended developmental period. In addition, they possess the following characters: lateral line canal and pores chiefly on head, lateral line represented on body only by pitted scales; narial opening paired; branchiostegal rays 3-7; pelvic fins and girdle present or absent; upper jaw bordered by premaxilla only, protrusible; vomer usually present and supracleithrum always present; metapterygoid usually absent and ectopterygoid always absent; parietals present or absent; vertebrae 24-54. Marked sexual dimorphism with the males often brightly colored.

Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin. Ref. 45335.

Greek, kyprinos = goldfish + Greek, odous = tooth, teeth + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335).

( n = 14 )
Anablepidae Aphaniidae Aplocheilidae Cynolebiinae Cyprinodontidae Fluviphylacidae Fundulidae Goodeidae Nothobranchiidae Pantanodontidae Poeciliidae Procatopodidae Profundulidae Rivulidae Valenciidae

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948 ]      

Glossary
      [ e.g. oophagy ]