Elopiformes
| Elopiformes Temporal range: [1]
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| Tarpon, Megalops sp. | |
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| Order: | Elopiformes Sauvage, 1875
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The Elopiformes /[invalid input: 'ɨ']ˌlɒp[invalid input: 'ɨ']ˈfɔːrmiːz/ are the order of ray-finned fish including 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 superficially resemble very large or giant 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 nine species:[2]
Order Elopiformes
- Family Elopidae (ladyfish)
- Genus Elops (seven species, one of which was described in 2010)
- Family Megalopidae (tarpons)
- Genus Megalops (two species)
Timeline of genera
"Megalopiformes"
References
- ^ a b c McCosker, John F. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 85–86. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
- ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Order Elopiformes". FishBase. January 2009 version.
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Order Elopiformes". FishBase. May 2006 version.
- Mikko's Phylogeny for Elopiformes
- Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Retrieved 2011-05-17.
External links
- The inshore grand slam Article about bonefish, ladyfish and tarpon.