SPECIAL ICHTHYOLOGY - R. S. Pentyliuk - 2011

1. ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF CYCLOSTOMES AND FISHES. SYSTEMATICS OF MODERN CYCLOSTOMES AND FISHES. SUBPHYLUM CRANIATA. INFRAPHYLUM AGNATHA. CLASS CYCLOSTOMATA

1.2. Systematics of modern cyclostomes and fishes

The vast diversity of Fishes and significant differences in their anatomy have led to considerable discrepancies in approaches to their Taxonomy. The Classification of fishes and fish-like vertebrates that comes closest to modern systematics while reflecting their historical distribution was developed by L. S. Berg back in 1940. Since then, numerous new fish species have been discovered, the Morphology of various species has been studied in greater detail, and innovative technologies for establishing phylogenetic relationships have been developed. This has altered the relative status and taxonomic positioning of various groups. To this day, researchers' views on modern fish systematics remain unsettled and are far from complete or standardized. The same taxa are often assigned different statuses, and identical families are included in different orders, orders in superorders, and so on. Some researchers even propose dividing the Class of bony fishes into two classes, elevating the subclasses Sarcopterygii and Actinopterygii to independent classes (Nelson, 2006). Let us consider a few Examples. T. S. Rass assigns the orders Mirabindiformes, Cetomimiformes, and Giganturiformes to the superorder Percomorpha alongside Perciformes and other fish orders, whereas, according to other sources, these fishes belong to the superorder Clupeomorpha alongside Clupeiformes. The family Atherinidae is placed by some researchers within the superorder Atherinomorpha (among Cyprinodontiformes and Beloniformes) within the order Atheriniformes, and even serves as the basal name for both the order and the superorder (Rass, 1983). Other researchers believe this small family belongs to the order Mugiliformes (superorder Percomorpha).

According to some sources, pikes, mudminnows, and blackfishes occupy a subordinate position as a suborder within Clupeiformes or Salmoniformes, while according to others, they hold an independent ordinal status as Esociformes (Rass, 1983; Nelson, 2006).

There is no consensus regarding the orders Salmoniformes, Siluriformes, Scorpaeniformes, and several others, which are frequently ranked as suborders, while the enormous group of Teleostei lacks a clearly defined taxonomic rank.

Initially, this group was assigned the rank of superorder. Later, due to their truly remarkable diversity, the Teleostei were divided into eight independent superorders, leaving the original superorder with an undefined, nameless rank (Rass, Lindberg, 1983). Only D. Nelson (2006) assigns them the novel rank of Division, which is not recognized in many classification systems.

It remains unclear what exact rank the group of teleost fishes should hold. If their former status is retained, the eight superorders separated from it lack logical consistency in holding equal status with the parent group. It would be more logical to assign them the rank of cohorts, uniting similar orders within a single superorder (Bulakhov et al., 1986). Alternatively, it would be best to elevate the rank of the original superorder to the infraclass level, much like in the class Mammalia, where the Subclass Theria consists of two infraclasses (Metatheria and Eutheria). In this case, the rank of the subclass Ganoidei should also be elevated to an infraclass, which would then need to be subdivided into the various previously existing superorders.

The classification outlined below is based on the systems developed by Berg (1940, 1955) and Lindberg (1963, 1971), with certain refinements, additions, and modifications proposed in A number of works (Nikolsky, 1952, 1971; Matsubara, 1955; 1963; Norman, 1958; Greenwood, Rosen, Weitzman, Myers, 1966; Romer, 1966; Rass, 1971, 1983; Rass, Lindberg, 1971; Parin, 1971; Nelson, 2006; Bulakhov, 1986, 1989, etc.).

Phylum CHORDATA

Subphylum VERTEBRATA, or CRANIOTA

Infraphylum Agnatha

Superclass CYCLOSTOMES

Class Cyclostomata

Subclass PETROMYZONES

Order PETROMYZONIFORMES

Family Petromyzonidae

Family Geotriidae

Family Mordaciidae

Subclass MYXINI

Order MYXINIFORMES

Family Myxinidae

Family Bdellostomidae, or hagfishes

Family Paramyxinidae

Infraphylum GNATHOSTOMATA

Superclass FISHES - PISCES

Class Cartilaginous Fishes — CHONDRICHTHYES

Subclass ELASMOBRANCHS - ELASMOBRANCHII

Superorder SHARKS — SELACHOMORPHA

Order BULLHEAD SHARKS - HETERODONTIFORMES

Family Bullhead, or Horn Sharks - Heterodontidae

Order COW AND FRILL SHARKS - HEXANCHIFORMES

Family Frilled Sharks - Chlamydoselachidae

Family Cow Sharks - Hexanchidae

Order CARPETSHARKS - ORECTOLOBIFORMES

Family Carpetsharks - Orectolobidae

Family Whale Sharks - Rhincodontidae

Order MACKEREL SHARKS - LAMNIFORMES

Family Sand Tiger Sharks - Odontaspidae

Family Crocodile Sharks - Pseudocarchariidae

Family Goblin Sharks - Scapanorhynchidae

Family Thresher Sharks - Alopiidae

Family Mackerel Sharks - Lamnidae

Family Lamiostomatidae - Lamiostomatidae

Family Basking Sharks - Cetorhinidae

Order GROUND SHARKS - CARCHARHINIFORMES

Family Catsharks - Scyliorhinidae

Family False Catsharks - Pseudotrianidae

Family Houndsharks - Trianidae

Family Requiem Sharks - Carcharhinidae

Family Hammerhead Sharks, or Bonnethead Sharks - Sphyrnidae

Order DOGFISH SHARKS, or SPURDOGS - SQUALIFORMES

Family Spiny Dogfishes, or Dogfish Sharks - Squalidae

Family Sleeper Sharks - Dalatiidae

Family Bramble Sharks - Echinorhinidae³

Family Roughsharks - Oxinotidae

Order SAWSHARK SHARKS - PRISTIOPHORIFORMES

Family Sawsharks - Pristiophoridae

Order ANGELSHARKS - SQUA TINIFORMES

Family Angelsharks - Squatinidae

Superorder RAYS - BATOMORPHA Order SAWFISHES - PRISTIFORMES

Family Sawfishes - Pristidae

Order GUITARFISHES - RHINOBA TIFORMES

Family Wedgefishes - Rhinchobatidae

Family Guitarfishes - Rhinobatidae

Family Thornback Rays - Platyrhinidae, seu Discobatidae

Order SKATES - RAJIFORMES

Family Skates - Rajidae

Family Smooth Skates - Anacanthobatidae

Family Soft Skates - Arhynchobatidae

Family Pseudorajid Skates - Pseudorajidae

Order STINGRAYS, or EAGLE RAYS - DASYA TIFORMES, seu MYLIOBATIFORMES

Family Stingrays - Dasyatidae

Family Round Stingrays - Urolophidae

Family River Stingrays - Potamotrygonidae

Butterfly Ray Family - Gymnuridae

Eagle Ray Family - Myliobatidae

Manta Ray, or Devil Ray Family - Mobulidae

Sixgill Stingray Family - Hexatrygonidae

Cownose Ray Family - Rhinopteridae

Order ELECTRIC RAYS — TORPEDINIFORMES

Electric Ray Family - Torpedinidae

Sleeper Ray Family - Narkidae

Temera Ray Family - Temeridae

Subclass CHIMAERAS, or HOLOCEPHALI

Order CHIMAERIFORMES

Shortnose Chimaera Family - Chimaeridae

Longnose Chimaera Family - Rhinochimaeridae

Plownose Chimaera Family - Callorhinchidae

Class Bony Fishes - OSTEICHTHYES seu TELEOSTOMI

Subclass LOBE-FINNED FISHES - SARCOPTERYGII

Superorder CROSSOPTERYGIOMORPHA

Order COELACANTHIFORMES

Coelacanth Family - Coelacanthidae, seu Latimeriidae

Superorder LUNGFISHES - DIPNOI, seu DIPNEUSTOMORPHA

Order UNILUNG FISHES - MONOPNEUMONIFORMES

Australian Lungfish Family - Ceratotidae

Order DILUNG FISHES - DIPNEUMONIFORMES, seu CERATODIFORMES

African Lungfish Family - Protopteridae

South American Lungfish Family - Lepidosirenidae

Subclass RAY-FINNED FISHES - ACTINOPTERYGII

Infraclass GANOIDS - GANOIDA

Superorder CARTILAGINOUS GANOIDS - CHONDROSTEIMORPHA

Order STURGEONS - ACIPENSERIFORMES

Family Sturgeons - Asipenseridae

Family Paddlefishes - Polyodontidae

Superorder BICHIRS - POLYPTERIMORPHA

Order BICHIR-LIKE FISHES - POLYPTERIFORMES

Family Bichirs - Polypteridae

Superorder BONY GANOIDS - HOLOSTEIMORPHA

Order BOWFINS - AMIIFORMES

Family Bowfins - Amiidae

Order GARPIKES, or ARMORPIKES - LEPIDOS TEIFORMES

Family Gars, or Alligator Gars - Lepidosteidae

INFRACLASS TELEOSTS — TELEOSTEI

Superorder HERRING-LIKE FISHES — CLUPEIMORPHA

Order TARCHONS - ELOPIFORMES

Family Tarpons - Megalopidae

Family Tenpounders - Elopidae

Family Bonefishes - Albulidae

Family Deepwater Bonefishes - Pterothrissidae

Order GONORHYNCHIFORMES - GONORHYNCHIFORMES¹²

Family Beaked Salmon - Gonorhynchidae

Family Snake Mudminnows - Phractolaemidae

Family Kneriidae Family Cromeriidae - Kneriidae Cromeriidae

Family Chanidae — Milkfishes Order CLUPEIFORMES

Suborder Chirocentroidei

Family Chirocentridae — Wolf-herrings

Suborder Clupeoidei

Family Clupeidae — Herrings

Family Engraulidae — Anchovies

Order SALMONIFORMES

Suborder Salmonoidei

family Salmonidae — Salmons

family Coregonidae — Whitefishes

family Thymallidae — Graylings

suborder Osmeroidei

family Plecoglossidae — Ayu

family Osmeridae — Smelts

family Salangidae — Icefishes

family Retropinnidae — New Zealand smelts

family Aplochitonidae — Tasmanian smelts

Suborder Argentinoidei

family Argentinidae — Argentines

family Bathylagidae — Deepsea smelts

family Opisthoproctidae — Barreleyes

family Microstomatidae — Pencilsmelts

family Xenophtalmichthyidae

family Macrorhinidae

suborder Alepocephaloidei

family Alepocephalidae - Alepocephalidae

family Platytroctidae - Platytroctidae

family Leptochilichthyidae - Leptochilichthydae

family Searsiidae - Searsiidae

family Dolichopterygidae - Dolichopterygidae

family Macristiidae - Macristiidae

suborder Bathylaconoidei - Bathylaconoidei

family Bathylaconidae - Bathylaconidae

Order ESOCIFORMES - ESOCIFORMES

family Esocidae - Esocidae

family Umbridae - Umbridae

Order MIRAPINNIFORMES - MIRAPINNIFORMES

family Mirapinnidae - Mirapinnidae

family Kasidoridae - Kasidoridae

family Megalomycteridae - Megalomycteridae

family Eutaeniophoridae - Eutaeniophoridae

Order GALAXIIFORMES - GALAXIIFORMES

family Galaxiidae - Galaxiidae

Order STOMIIFORMES - STOMIIFORMES

family Gonostomidae - Gonostomidae

family Sternoptychidae - Sternopthychidae

family Photichthyidae - Photichthyidae

family Astronesthidae - Astronesthidae

family Chauliodontidae - Chauliodoutidae

family Stomiidae - Stomiatidae

Family Melanostomidae - Melanostomidae

Family Malacosteidae - Malacosteidae

Family Idiacanthidae - Idiacanthidae

Order MYCTOPHIFORMES — MYCTOPHIFORMES

Suborder Myctophoidei - Myctophoidei

Family Aulopidae - Aulopidae

Family Synodontidae - Synodontidae

Family Harpadontidae - Harpadontidae

Family Bathysauridae - Bathysauridae

Family Chlorophthalmidae - Chlorophthalmidae

Family Notosudidae - Notosudidae

Family Bathypteroidae - Bathypteroidae

Family Ipnopidae - Ipnopidae

Family Neoscopelidae - Neoscopelidae

Family Myctophidae - Myctophidae

Family Scopelosauridae - Scopelosauridae

Suborder Alepisauroidei - Alepisauroidei

Family Paralepididae - Paralepididae

Family Anotopteridae - Anotopteridae

Family Alepisauridae - Alepisauridae

Family Omosudidae - Omosudidae

Family Evermannellidae - Evermannellidae

Family Scopelarchidae - Scopelarchidae

Order CETOMIMIFORMES — CETOMIMIFORMES

Family Cetomimidae - Cetomimidae

family Rondeletiidae - Rondeletiidae

family Barbourisiidae - Barbourisiidae

Order GIGANTURIFORMES - GIGANTURIFORMES

family Giganturidae, or telescopefishes - Giganturidae

family Rosauridae - Rosauridae

Order ATELEOPODIFORMES - ATELEOPODIFORMES

family Ateleopodidae - Ateleopidae

Order BATHYCLUPEIFORMES - BATHYCLUPEIFORMES

family Bathyclupeidae - Bathyclupeidae

Superorder OSTEOGLOSSOMORPHA - OSTEOGLOSSOMORPHA

Order OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES - OSTEOGLOSSIFORMES

suborder Osteoglossoidei - Osteoglossoidei

family Osteoglossidae, or bonytongues - Osteoglossidae

family Arapaimidae - Arapaimidae

family Heterotidae - Heterotidae

family Denticipitidae - Denticipitidae

suborder Pantodontoidei - Pantodontoidei

family Pantodontidae, or freshwater butterflyfishes - Pantodontidae

suborder Notopteroidei - Notopteroidei

family Hiodontidae - Hiodontintidae

family Notopteridae, or knifefishes - Notopteridae

Order MORMYRIFORMES - MORMYRIFORMES

suborder Mormyroidei - Mormyroidei

family Mormyridae, or elephantfishes - Mormyridae

suborder Gymnarchoidei - Gymnarchoidei

Family Gymnarchidae

Superorder ANGUILLOMORPHA

Order ANGUILLIFORMES

Suborder Anguilloidei

Family Anguillidae – freshwater eels

Family Congridae – conger eels

Family Moringuidae – worm eels

Family Echelidae – snake eels

Family Muraenidae – moray eels

Family Simenchelyidae – snub-nosed eels

Family Ophichthidae – snake and worm eels

Family Muraenesocidae – pike congers

Family Synaphobranchidae – cutthroat eels

Family Derichthyidae – longneck eels

Family Xenocongridae – false morays

Family Myrocongridae – myrocongrid eels

Family Heterenchelyidae – mud eels

Family Neenchelyidae – pygmy eels

Family Nettastomatidae – duckbill eels

Family Nessorhamphidae – duckbilled eels

Family Ilyophidae – arrowtooth eels

Family Dyssommidae – synaphobranchid eels

Suborder Nemichthyoidei – snipe eels

Family Nemichthyidae – snipe eels

Family Serrivomeridae – sawtooth eels

Family Cyemidae, or Bobtail Snipe Eels - Cyemidae

Family Avocettinopsidae - Avocettinopsidae

Family Macrocephenchelyidae, Family Aoteidae - Aoteidae

Order HALOSAURIFORMES - HALOSAURIFORMES

Family Halosauridae - Halosauridae

Order NOTOCANTHIFORMES - NOTOCANTHIFORMES

Family Lipogenidae - Lipogenidae

Family Notacanthidae - Notacanthidae

Order SACCOPHARYNGIFORMES - SACCOPHARYNGIFORMES

Family Saccopharyngidae - Saccopharyngidae

Family Eurypharyngidae - Eurypharyngidae

Order MONOGNATHIFORMES - MONOGNATHIFORMES

Family Monognathidae - Monognathidae

Superorder CYPRINOMORPHA - CYPRINOMORPHA

Order CYPRINIFORMES - CYPRINIFORMES

Suborder Characoidei - Characoidei

Family Citharinidae - Citharinidae

Family Characidae - Characidae

Family Serrasalmidae - Serrasalmidae

Family Erythrinidae - Erythrinidae

Family Anostomidae - Anostomidae

Family Hemiodidae - Hemiodidae

Family Lebiasinidae - Lebiasinidae

Family Ichthyboridae - Ichthyboridae

Family Gasteropelecidae - Gasteropelecidae

pike-characin family - Ctenoluciidae

curimatid family - Curimatidae

chalceid family - Chalceidae

crenuchid family - Crenuchidae

characidiid family - Characidiidae

suborder Cyprinoidei - Cyprynoidei

carp family - Cyprynidae

Algae-eater family - Gyrinocheilidae

sucker family - Catostomidae

balitorid loach family - Homolopteridae

mountain carp family - Psilorhynchidae

hillstream loach family - Gastromyzonidae

true loach family - Cobitidae

river loach family - Balitoridae

Order SILURIFORMES - SIL URIFORMES

suborder Diplomistoidei - Diplomistoidei

diplomistid family - Diplomistidae

suborder Siluroidei - Siluroidei

thornycat family - Doradidae

driftwood catfish family - Auchenipteridae

sea catfish family - Ariidae

eel-tailed catfish family - Plotosidae

sheatfish family - Siluridae

schilbid catfish family - Schilbeidae

shark catfish family - Pangasiidae

family Bagridae - Bagrid catfishes

family Pimelodidae - Long-whiskered catfishes

family Ictaluridae - North American freshwater catfishes - Amiuridae, seu Ictaluridae

family Sisoridae - Sisorid catfishes

family Chacidae - Squarehead catfishes

family Clariidae - Airbreathing catfishes

family Saccobranchidae - Air-sac catfishes

family Mochocidae - Synodontis catfishes

family Malapteruridae - Electric catfishes

family Trichomycteridae - Pencil catfishes

family Aspredinidae - Banjo catfishes - Aspredenidae, seu Bunocephalidae

family Callichthyidae - Callichthyid armored catfishes - Callichthydae

family Loricariidae - Armored suckermouth catfishes - Loricariidae

family Amphiliidae - Loach catfishes

family Helogenidae - Whale catfishes

family Ageneiosidae - Bottlenose catfishes

family Doiichthydae - New Guinea catfishes

family Amblycipitidae - Torrent catfishes - Ambycipidae

family Akysidae - Stream catfishes - Acusidae

family Olyridae - Longtail catfishes

family Callophysidae - Callophysid catfishes

family Hypophthalmidae - Channel catfishes - Hypophthalmidae

family Cetopsidae - Whale catfishes

family Astroblepidae - Climbing catfishes

suborder Gymnotoidei - Knifefishes and electric eels - Gymnotoidei

family Electric eels - Electrophoridae family Neotropical knifefishes - Gymnotidae

family Sand knifefishes - Rhamphichthydae

family Ghost knifefishes, or Sternarchids - Apterodontidae, seu Sternarchidae

Superorder BELONIOIDEI - BELONIOIDEI

Order CYPRINODONTIFORMES - CYPRINODONTIFORMES

suborder Amblyopsoidei - Amlyopsoidei

family Cavefishes - Amlyopsidae

suborder Cyprinodontoidei - Cyprinodontoidei

family Pupfishes - Cyprinodontidae

family Ricefishes - Oryziatidae

family Horaichthydae - Horaichthydae

family Adrianichthyidae - Adrianichthydae

family Tomeuridae - Tomeuridae

family Goodeids - Goodeidae

family Livebearers, or Topminnows and mosquitofishes - Pocciliidae

family One-sided livebearers - Jenynsiidae

family Four-eyed fishes - Anablepidae

Order BELONIFORMES - BELONIFORMES

suborder Belonoidei - Belonoidei

family Needlefishes - Belonidae

family Sauries - Scombresocidae

suborder Exocoetoidei - Exocoetoidei

family Halfbeaks - Hemiramphidae

family Flying fishes - Exocoetidae

family Oxyporhamphidae - Oxyporhamphidae

Order PHALLOSTETHIFORMES - PHALLOS TETHIFORMES

family Phallostethidae - Phallostethidae family Neostethidae - Neostethidae

Superorder PARAPERCOMORPHA - PARAPERCOMORPHA

Order PERCOPSIFORMES - PERCOPSIFORMES

suborder Percopsidoidei - Percopsidoidei

family Percopsidae - Percopsidae

suborder Aphredoderoidei - Aphredoderoidei

family Aphredoderidae - Aphredoderidae

Order GADIFORMES - GADIFORMES

suborder Muraenolepidoidei - Muraenolepidoidei

family Muraenolepididae - Muraenolepididae

suborder Gadoidei - Gadoidei

family Bregmacerotidae - Bregmacerotidae

family Gadidae - Gadidae

family Lotidae - Lotidae

family Merlucciidae - Merlucciidae

family Moridae - Moridae

family Melanonidae - Melanonidae

suborder Ophidioidei - Ophidioidei

family Carapidae - Carapidae

family Ophidiidae - Ophidiidae

family Brotulidae - Brotulidae

suborder Bythitoidei - Bythitoidei

family Bythitidae - Bythitoidae

family Aphyonidae - Aphyonidae

Family Disparichthydae - Disparichthydae

Order MACROURIFORMES - MACROURIFORMES³³

Suborder Macrouroidei - Macrouroidei

Family Macrouroididae - Macrouroididae

Family Macrouridae, or Grenadiers - Macrouridae

Superorder PERCOMORPHA — PERCOMORPHA

Order LAMPRIDIFORMES - LAMPRIDIFORMES

Suborder Lampridoidei - Lampridoidei

Family Lamprididae, or Opahs - Lamprididae

Suborder Trachipteroidei - Trachipteroidei

Family Regalecidae, or Oarfishes - Regalecidae

Family Trachipteridae, or Ribbonfishes - Trachipteridae

Suborder Veliferoidei - Veliferoidei

Family Veliferidae - Veliferidae

Family Lophotidae - Lophotidae

Suborder Stylephoroidei Family Stylephoridae - Stylephoridae

Order GASTEROSTEIFORMES - GASTEROSTEIFORMES

Family Gasterosteidae - Gasterosteidae

Family Aulorhynchidae, or Tube-snouts - Aulorhynchidae

Family Indostomidae - Indostomidae

Order SYNGNATHIFORMES, seu LOPHOBRANCHII - SYNGNATHIFORMES, seu LOPHOBRANCHII

Suborder Aulostomoidei - Aulostomoidei

Family Aulostomidae, or Trumpetfishes - Aulostomidae

Family Fistulariidae, or Cornetfishes - Fistulariidae

Family Macrorhamphosidae, or Snipefishes - Macrorhamphosidae

Family Centriscidae, or Shrimpfishes

Suborder Syngnathoidei

Family Syngnathidae, or Pipefishes and Seahorses

Family Solenostomatidae, or Ghost Pipefishes

Order SYNBRANCHIFORMES

Suborder Alabetoidei

Family Alabetidae

Suborder Synbranchoidei

Family Synbranchidae, or Swamp Eels

Family Amphipnoidae Order MUGILIFORMES

Suborder Sphyraenoidei

Family Sphyraenidae, or Barracudas

Suborder Mugiloidei

Family Mugilidae Family Polynemidae

Family Atherinidae Family Melanotaeniidae

Family Isonidae Order ZEIFORMES

Family Zeidae Family Oreosomatidae

Family Caproidae

Family Grammicolepidae

Order ECHENEIFORMES

Family Echeneidae, or Remoras

Order OPHIOCEPHALIFORMES, seu CHANNIFORMES

Family Ophiocephalidae, seu Channidae

Order STEPHANOBERYCIFORMES

Suborder Polyxioidei

family Polymixiidae - Polymixiidae

suborder Berycoidei - Berycoidei

family Hispidoberycidae - Hispidoberycidae

family Diretmidae, family Trachichthidae - Diretmidae, Trachichthidae

family Anoplogasteridae - Anoplogasteridae

family Berycidae - Berycidae

family Monocentridae - Monocentridae

family Anomalopidae - Anomalopidae

family Squirrelfishes and Soldierfishes - Holocentridae

family Sorosichthydae - Sorosichthydae

Order PERCIFORMES - PERCIFORMES

suborder Percoidei - Percoidei

family Snooks - Centropomidae

family Sea Basses - Serranidae

family Percichthydae - Percichthydae

family Pearl Perches - Glaucosomidae

family Grunters - Theraponidae

family Flagtails - Kuhliidae

family Sunfishes - Centrarchidae

family Bigeyes - Priacanthidae

family Cardinalfishes - Apogonidae

family Lanternbellies - Acropomatidae

family Perches - Percidae

family Smelt-whitings - Sillaginidae

family Tilefishes - Branchiostegidae

family Malacanthidae - Malacanthidae

family Labroglossidae - Labroglossidae

family Lactariidae - Lactariidae

family Scombropidae — Scombropidae

family Pomatomidae - Pomatomidae

family Rachycentridae - Rachycentridae

family Carangidae - Carangidae

family Coryphaenidae - Coryphaenidae

family Parastromateidae - Parastromateidae

family Menidae - Menidae

family Leiognathidae - Leiognathidae

family Bramidae, or pomfrets - Bramidae

family Caristiidae - Caristiidae

family Arripidae - Arripidae

family Emmelichthyidae - Emmelichthyidae

family Centracanthidae - Centracanthidae

family Lutjanidae, or snappers - Lutjanidae

family Nemipteridae - Nemipteridae

family Lobotidae, or tripletails - Lobotidae

family Gerridae - Gerridae

family Pomadasyidae, or grunts - Pomadasyidae

family Lethrinidae, or emperors - Lethrinidae

family Sparidae, or porgies - Sparidae

family Sciaenidae, or croakers - Sciaenidae

family Mullidae, or goatfishes - Mullidae

family Pempheridae, or sweepers - Pempheridae

family Monodactylidae, or fingerfishes - Monodactylidae

family Toxotidae, or archerfishes - Toxotidae

family Coracinidae, or galjoen fishes - Coracinidae

family Girellidae, or gnathacanthids - Girellidae

family Ephippidae, or spadefishes - Ephippidae

family Drepanidae, or sickle fishes - Drepanidae

family Platacidae, or batfishes - Platacidae

family Scatophagidae, or scats - Scatophagidae

family Chaetodontidae, or butterflyfishes - Chaetodontidae

family Pentacerotidae, or armourheads - Pentacerotidae

family Nandidae, or leaffishes - Nandidae

family Oplegnathidae, or knifejaws - Oplegnathidae

family Embiotocidae, or surfperches - Embiotocidae

family Cichlidae, or cichlids - Cichlidae

family Pomacentridae, or damselfishes - Pomacentridae

family Cirrhitidae, or hawkfishes - Cirrhitidae

family Chironemidae, or kelpishes - Chironemidae

family Cheilodactylidae, or morwongs - Cheilodactylidae

family Cepolidae, or bandfishes - Cepolidae

family Pseudochromidae, or dottybacks - Pseudochromidae

family Pseudogrammidae, or reef-basses - Pseudogrammidae

family Grammidae, or basslets - Grammidae

family Banjosidae, or banjofishes - Banjosidae

family Pseudoplesiopidae, or dottybacks - Pseudoplesiopidae

family Anisochromidae - Anisochromidae

family Plesiopidae - Plesiopidae

family Acanthoclinidae - Acanthoclinidae

family Nematistiidae - Nematistiidae

family Formionidae - Formionidae

family Pteraclidae - Pteraclidae

family Inermiidae - Inermiidae

family Aphareidae - Aphareidae

family Caesionidae - Caesionidae

family Pentapodidae - Pentapodidae

family Scorpididae, or Halfmoons - Scorpididae

family Kyphosidae, or Sea Chubs - Kyphosidae

family Rhinoprenidae - Rhinoprenidae

family Enoplosidae, or Old Wives - Enoplosidae

family Pristolepidae - Pristolepidae

family Polycentridae, or Leaffishes - Polycentridae

family Gadopsidae - Gadopsidae

family Aplodactylidae, or Marblefishes - Aplodactylidae

family Latridae - Latridae

suborder Labroidei - Labroidei

family Labridae - Labridae family Parrotfishes, or Scaridae - Scaridae

family Odacidae - Odacidae

suborder Trachinoidei - Trachinoidei

family Trichodontidae - Trichodontidae

family Opistognathidae - Opistognathidae

family Bathymasteridae - Bathymasteridae

family Greater weavers, or Weavers - Trachinidae

family Stargazers - Uranoscopidae

family Swallowers - Chiasmodontidae

family Owstoniidae - Owstoniidae

family Grubfishes - Mugiloididae

family Torrentfish - Cheimarrhichthyidae

family Duckbills - Percophididae

family Bembropsidae - Bembropsidae

family Slender duckbills - Hemerocoetidae

family Sand-divers - Trichonotidae

family Sandburrowers - Creedidae

family Sandfish - Kraemeridae

family Sand darters - Limnichthydae

family Oxudercidae - Oxydercidae

family Southern sandfish - Leptoscopidae

family Stargazer sandfish - Dactyloscopidae

family Gapers - Champsodontidae

suborder Notothenioidei - Notothenioidei

family Thornfish - Bovichthyidae

family Codicephs, or Notothens - Nototheniidae

family Spiny plunderfishes - Harpagiferidae

family Bathytracomidae - Bathytracomidae

family Crocodile icefishes - Channichthyidae

suborder Blennioidei - Blennioidei

family Blenniidae - blennies

family Anarhichadidae - wolffishes

family Tripterygiidae - triplefins

family Clinidae - clinic blennies

family Stichaeidae - pricklebacks

family Ptilichthydae - quillfish

family Pholidae - gunnels

family Cryptacanthodidae - wrymouths

family Xenocephalidae - stargazer-like fishes

family Congrogadidae - eelblennies

family Haliophidae - snake blennies

family Notogramidae - notogramid fishes

family Peronedysidae - eel-blennies

family Ophialinidae - ophialinid fishes

family Lycodapodidae - lycodapodid eelpouts

family Derepodichthydae - derepodichthid fishes

family Scytalinidae - graveldivers

family Zaproridae - prowfishes

suborder Zoarcoidei - eelpouts and allies

family Zoarcidae - eelpouts

suborder Schindlerioidei - schindleriid fishes

family Schindleriidae - infantfishes

suborder Ammodytoidei - sand lances and allies

family Ammodytidae - sand lances

family Bleekeriidae - bleekerian sand lances

family Short-spanned sandfishes - Hypoptychidae

suborder Dragonets - Callionymoidei

family Dragonets - Callionymonidae

family Slender dragonets - Draconettidae

suborder Gobies - Gobioidei

family Sleepers - Eleotridae

family Loach gobies - Rhyacichthydae

family Gobies - Gobiidae

family Eel gobies - Taenioididae, seu Gobiodidae

family Wormfishes - Microdesmidae

family Mudskippers - Periophthaemidae

suborder Nurseryfishes - Kurtoidei

family Nurseryfishes - Kurtidae suborder Surgeonfishes - Acanthuroidei

family Surgeonfishes - Acanthuridae family Moorish idols - Zanclidae

family Rabbitfishes - Siganidae

suborder Cutlassfishes - Trichiuroidei

family Snake mackerels - Gempylidae

family Cutlassfishes - Trichiuridae

family Frostfishes - Lepidopidae

suborder Mackerels - Scombroidei

family Mackerels and tunas - Scombridae

family Tunas - Thunnidae

family Spanish mackerels - Cybiidae

suborder Billfishes - Xiphioidei

family Swordfishes - Xiphiidae

family Billfishes, Marlins - Istiophoridae

family Luvaris - Luvaridae

suborder Stromateoids - Stromateoidei

family Medusafishes - Centrolophidae

family Amarsipids - Amarsipidae

family Driftfishes - Nomeidae

family Butterfishes - Stromateidae

family Pomfrets - Pampidae

family Squaretails - Tetragonuridae

suborder Anabantoids - Anabantoidei

family Climbing Gouramies - Anabantidae

suborder Luciocephaloidei - Luciocephaloidei

family Pikeheads - Luciocephalidae

Order SCORPAENIFORMES - SCORPAENIFORMES

suborder Scorpaenoidei - Scorpaenoidei

family Scorpionfishes - Scorpaenidae

family Reef Stonefishes - Synanceidae

family Searobins, Gurnards - Triglidae

family Armored Searobins - Peristediidae

family Orbicular Velvetfishes - Caracanthidae

family Velvetfishes - Aploactinidae

family Australian Prowfishes - Pataecidae

family Red Velvetfishes - Gnathanacantidae

suborder Hexagrammoidei - Hexagrammoidei

family Greenlings - Hexagrammidae

Family Sablefishes or Anoplopomatids - Anoplopomatidae

Suborder Flathead-like fishes - Platycephaloidei

Family Flatheads - Platycephalidae

Family Parabembrids - Parabembridae

Family Bembrids - Bembridae

Suborder Sculpin-like fishes - Cottoidei

Family Sculpins - Cottidae

Family Baikal oilfishes - Comephoridae

Family Grunt sculpins - Rhamphocottidae

Family Deepwater sculpins - Ereunidae

Family Crested sculpins - Blepsiidae

Family Cabezons - Scorpaenichthydae

Family Sea ravens - Hemitripteridae

Family Fatheads - Psychrolutidae

Family Cardinalfishes - Apogonidae

Family Lumpfishes - Cyclopteridae

Family Snailfishes - Liparidae

Family Trawl-swimmers - Synchiridae

Family Marykawichthyids - Marykawichthyidae

Family Ascelichthyids - Ascelichthyidae

Family Normanichthyids - Normanichthydae

Family Eutelichthyids - Eutelichthyidae

Suborder Ghost flathead-like fishes - Hoplichthoidei

Family Ghost flatheads - Hoplichthydae

Suborder Horsefish-like fishes - Congiopodoidei

pigfish family, or horsefish - Congiopodidae

Order DACTYLOPTERIFORMES - DACTYLOPTERIFORMES

family Helmet gurnards, or flying gurnards - Dactylopteridae

Order MASTACEMBELIFORMES - MASTACEMBELIFORMES

family Spiny eels - Mastacembelidae

Order CHAUDCHURIFORMES — CHAUDCHURIFORMES

family Chaudhuriidae - Chaudchuridae

Order ICOSTEIFORMES - ICOSTEIFORMES

family Ragfishes - Icosteidae

Order PLEURONECTIFORMES - PLEURONECTIFORMES

suborder Psettodoidei - Psettodoidei

Family Spiny turbots - Psettodidae

suborder Pleuronectoidei - Pleuronectoidei

Family Large-scale flounders - Citharidae

Family Lefteye flounders - Bothidae

Family Turbots - Rhombidae

Family Righteye flounders - Pleuronectidae

Family New Zealand flounders - Rhombosolepidae

suborder Soleoidei - Soleoidei

family Soles - Soleidae

family Tonguefishes - Cynoglossidae

Order TETRAODONTIFORMES - TETRAODONTIFORMES

suborder Balistoidei - Balistoidei

family Spikefishes - Triacanthodidae

family Tripletails - Triacanthidae

family Triggerfishes - Balistidae

family Filefishes - Monocanthidae

family Leatherjackets - Aluteridae

family Spined pygmy filefishes, or Bristle-tail filefishes - Psilocephalidae

suborder Boxfishes - Ostraciontoidei

family Deepwater boxfishes - Aracanidae

family Trunkfishes, or Boxfishes - Ostraciontidae

suborder Pufferfishes - Tetraodontoidei

family Puffers, Blowfishes, or Toadfishes - Tetraodontidae

family Three-tooth puffers - Triodontidae

family Porcupinefishes, or Burrfish - Diodontidae

suborder Ocean sunfishes - Moloidei

family Molas, or Ocean sunfishes - Molidae

superorder BATRACHOIDS - BATRACHOMORPHA

Order PEGASIFORMES - PEGASIFORMES

family Seamoths - Pegasidae

Order BATRACHOIDIFORMES, or TOADFISHES - BATRACHOIDIFORMES

family Toadfishes - Batrachoididae

Order GOBIESOCIFORMES - GOBIESOCIFORMES

family Clingfishes - Gobiesocidae

Order LOPHIIFORMES, seu PEDICULA THIFORMES - LOPHIIFORMES, seu PEDICULA THIFORMES

suborder Anglerfishes - Lophioidei

family Goosefishes, or Monkfishes - Lophiidae

family Deep-sea anglerfishes - Galatheathaumanidae

suborder Frogfishes - Antennarioidei

family Frogfishes, or Clownfish - Antennariidae

family Sea Toads - Chaunacidae

family Batfishes - Ogcocephalidae

family Handfishes - Brachionichthydae

suborder Ceratioidei, or Deep-sea Anglerfishes - Ceratioidei

family Blackdevils - Melanocetidae

family Double-anglers - Diceratiidae

family Footballfishes - Himantolophidae

family Dreamers - Oneirodidae

family Centrophrynd - Centrophrynidae

family Whipnose Seadevils - Gigantoctidae

family Toed Seadevils - Neoceratiidae

family Sea Devils - Ceratiidae

family Fanfin Seadevils - Caulophrynidae

family Leftvents - Linophrynidae

family Borophrynidae - Borophrynidae

Cyclostomes and fishes occupy different positions within the vertebrate system in terms of their diversity. Cyclostomes account for only about 0.1% of the overall vertebrate diversity, whereas fishes account for approximately 60%. In other words, the species diversity of fishes exceeds that of cyclostomes by 600 times. Modern cyclostomes (Cyclostomata) are represented by only one class, two subclasses with one order in each, six families, and 41–45 species.

Fishes (Pisces) constitute the largest taxonomic group of vertebrates and currently comprise two classes, four subclasses, 15 superorders, 60–80 orders, 500–700 families, and up to 28.5 thousand species.