Order Summary for Cyprinodontiformes
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Main Ref |
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Order |
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Cyprinodontiformes rivulines, killifishes and live bearers |
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Class |
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Actinopterygii |
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Sister Order |
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Beloniformes 45 M years |
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Ref.. |
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First Fossil Record |
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early Tertiary |
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Occurs in |
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Marine |
Fresh |
Brackish |
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Remark |
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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. |
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Classetymology |
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Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin. Ref. 45335. |
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Orderetymology |
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Greek, kyprinos = goldfish + Greek, odous = tooth, teeth + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335). |
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Families |
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