Neopterygii

E42437

Neopterygii is a major clade of ray-finned fishes that includes most modern fish species, characterized by more advanced jaw mechanics and fin structures compared to more primitive actinopterygians.

Aliases (4)

Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf clade
group of ray-finned fishes
taxon
characterizedBy advanced jaw mechanics
improved fin structures
more flexible body plan than basal actinopterygians
more mobile jaws
reduced scale thickness compared to basal actinopterygians
commonName neopterygians
comparedTo more primitive actinopterygians
contains most freshwater fish species
most marine fish species
the vast majority of extant fish species
firstAppearance Paleozoic era
late Paleozoic
hasAnatomicalFeature enhanced pharyngeal jaws in many teleosts
heterocercal or homocercal tails depending on subgroup
improved vertebral column flexibility
modified opercular bones
hasEcologicalRole dominant vertebrates in aquatic ecosystems
major component of freshwater food webs
major component of marine food webs
hasEvolutionaryFeature enhanced swimming efficiency
greater ecological diversity
increased jaw protrusion capability
hasLanguageName en:Neopterygii
hasMember bowfin
cichlids
cods
cyprinids
eels
flatfishes
gars
perches
pufferfishes
salmonids
seahorses
teleost fishes
tunas
hasMoreAdvanced fin structures than basal actinopterygians
jaw mechanics than basal actinopterygians
higherClassification Osteichthyes
bony fishes
includes Holostei
Teleostei
most modern ray-finned fishes
isPartOf Actinopterygii
parentTaxon Actinopterygii
studiedIn ichthyology
taxonRank subclass


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