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Chimaeriformes

Taxonomy: Superclass:-jawed : - cartilaginous fishes, rays Subclass: - cartilaginous fishes, : Chimaeriformes Families:3; , Callorhinchidae, 6 Genera, 34

Description: bodies are elongate, soft, and scaleless, ranging from brownish-gray to black. Most species have a rather large in comparison to the rest of the body. Head is covered in prominent sensory canals, single -opening, prominent spine before the first of two dorsal , and only three pairs of large, often beak-like teeth in . Snout is highly varied amongst species. Male chimeras have retractable sexual appendages before pelvic fins, along with an appendage on their forehead. Small-to- moderate-size (up to 1.5 m).

Habitat:Entirely marine. Found on or near the bottom of the continental shelf to depths of at least 2,600 m (8.500 ft), but few species occur inshore in temperate regions.

Distribution:Occur in all of the world’s with the exception of Arctic and Antarctic waters

Ecology and life history: Feed primarily on benthic invertebrates that they crush with three rows of plates. All species of chimaeriformes are oviparous, with females being fertilized internally. Very little is known about the reproduction and development of chimaeriformes due to the difficulty to study them in their natural, deep-water . First evidence of Chimaeriformes occurs in the , , and periods (375–250 ma)

Additional Details:some species are harvested commercially in the southern hemisphere for food and pharmaceutical products, however there is insufficient data to determine if any species are threatened. Those species commercially harvested are at a high risk of overexploitation, for there is also insufficient data on age, growth, and population structure.

Hydrolagus colliei

References used: Paxton, J. R. and W. N. Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes. Academic Press. Nelson, J. S. 1994. . 3rd. ed. Wiley and Sons, .

Orectolobiformes- Carpet

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata –Jawed Fishes Class Chrondrichthyes- Cartilaginous Fishes Subclass - Sharks and Rays Order Orectolobiformes- Carpet Sharks Families Orectolobidae (), Rhincodontidae (whale ), Parascyllidae (collard carpet sharks), Brachaeluridae (blind sharks), Hemiscyllidae (longtail carpet sharks), Stegostomatidae (zebra sharks), (nurse sharks). 14 Genera, ~31 species

Description: On average between 1 and 3.5 meters long. The is the exception at 12 to 15 meters. They have two spineless dorsal fins, a short mouth that is well in front of the eyes and specialized nostrils with prominent grooves. Most have barbells and small gill slits with the fourth overlapping the fifth.

Habitat: Live exclusively in salt water. Found usually on or near the bottom.

Distribution: Orectolobiformes are found predominantly in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific, with most being present in Australian waters. A few species can be found in the Atlantic.

Ecology and life history: Reproduction is variable, with some species being oviparous and some being ovoviviparous. Most are sluggish sharks that mainly feed on small invertebrates and fishes. However, there are a wide range of life history strategies utilized, with some individuals being ambush predators, filter feeders, or night predators.

Additional details: This order contains the largest living , the whale shark, at 15m in length and approximately 12,000kg in weight.

References: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Paxton, J.R. and W.N Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fished 2nd ed. Academic Press. Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the world. 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York.

Carcharhiniformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata – jawed fishes Class Chondrichthyes – cartilaginous fishes Order – ground sharks Families (8): Scyliorhinidae – cat sharks and spotted dogfishes, Proscyllidae – finback cat sharks, – false cat sharks, Leptochariidae – barbeled hound shark,Triakidae – hound sharks or smooth hounds or smooth dogfishes, – weasel sharks, Carcharhinidae – requiem or “typical” sharks, and Sphyrnidae – hammerhead sharks ~40 - 48 genera, ~ 216 species

Description: cartilaginous fishes, jawed fishes, have anal, pelvic, and pectoral paired fins, have dorsal , paired nostrils, scales, two-chambered , lack ribs, body covered with placoid scales sometimes called dermal teeth or dermal denticles, majority have heterocercal tail, breathe using 5-7 , behind each eye often used to pump water through the gillshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gill while the is at rest, poikilotherms also known as cold-blooded or ectothermic

Habitat: found in tropical continental shelf regions, inshore, littoral as well as offshore, present in deeper waters along the upper continental slopes, some are epipelagic in deeper basins

Distribution: can be found worldwide, mostly inhabit all the major oceans, but can be found in tropical freshwater and , inhabit waters from the intertidal zone to the lower reaches of the continental slope, mostly abundant and found in tropical to temperate waters

Ecology and life history: males bite females during mating, fertilization is internal, development is usually live such as ovoviviparous species (nourished by the ) and viviparous species (nourished by the mother’s body) but can be through (oviparous), some guard eggs, gestation periods are short for oviparous species where they lay their eggs after a few weeks and the embryos are retained for more than a in ovoviviparous and viviparous species, litters vary from one to 135 per gestation, females give birth in shallow areas, no parental care after birth, diet consists of a variety of marine from bony fishes to a wide range of invertebrates that the benthic ground sharks will eat

Additional details: economically important, fished intensely for both food and recreational purposes, carcasses used for fishmeal, fins used for/in the Chinese industry, used for leather products, oil used for the extraction of vitamin A, and ecotourism

References used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth, pp. 108-109. http://www.answers.com/topic/carcharhiniformes

Lamniformes

Taxonomy: Superclass: Gnathostomata Class: Elasmobranchii Order: Families (7): Alopiidae (), Cetorhinidae (), (/white shark), Megachasmidae (), Misukurinidae (), Odontaspididae (sand/sand ), Pseudocarchariidae () 10 genera, 16 species

Description: Lack of uniting characteristics. Two dorsal fins without spines, anal fin present; five gill slits with large openings, last two gills may be above pectoral fin; spiracles usually present, small and behind the eyes; eyes without nictitating membranes; mouth extending well behind the eyes. 1-10 m in length, lateral on each side extending to fin.

Habitat: marine, oceanic and coastal, tropical and temperate

Distribution: widely distributed, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Northern & Southern Hemispheres

Ecology and life history: internal fertilization, form of called oophagy. Embryos are nourished by feeding on unfertilized eggs that the mother continues to ovulate. In gray nurse sharks the strongest embryos hunt and consume siblings in uterus until only one pup survives. Produce numerous, small eggs. In mackerel sharks, young are born at 50-60 cm length. In basking shark, sexual maturity is reached at 4-6 m. In some species, adults frequent the sea and young are found closer to shore (such as the thresher shark). Range from filter feeders (Megachasmidae and Cetorhinidae) to predatory species that feed on dolphins, whales and seals (Lamnidae).

Additional details: First fossil record from early

References used: www..com Paxton, J.R. and W.N. Eschmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes 2nd ed. Academic Press Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. 3rd ed. Wiley and Sons, New York

Hexanchiformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata – jawed fishes Class Chondrichthyes – cartilaginous fishes Subclass Elasmobranchii Order Families Chlamydoselachidae (frill shark) & Hexanchidae (cow sharks) 4 genera, 5 species VT species: none, is an order of marine organisms

Description: primitive, jawed, cartilaginous, without spine, fusiform (Hexanchidae) or saggitaform (Chlamydoselachidae), single posterior spineless , anal fin present, six or seven gill slits, nictitating fold absent. Frill shark ( anguineus) possessing loose skin extending from the interbrachial septa (family Chlamydoselachidae). Length ranging from a maximum of 2 m for the frill shark and up to a maximum of 4.7 (possibly 8) m in the [bluntnnose] sixgill shark ( griseus).

Habitat: Marine, inhabiting continental shelf and slope waters (all species except the sevengill shark [ cepedianus]). The sevengill shark is known to inhabit shallow coastal waters.

Distribution: Present in cold waters and warmer coastal waters (sevengill shark) from tropical through temperate and boreal zones of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

Ecology and life history: Ovoviviparous, though little else known about many species in this order given the difficulty of study in waters of the continental shelf and slope. At least two species give birth in shallow waters. Mouth terminal (Chlamydoselachidae) or subterminal (Hexanchidae), feeding on and similar small fishes, teeth with three cusps (Chlamydoselachidae) or heterodont (Hexanchidae).

Additional details: Type of tricuspid teeth in the frill shark similar to those present in extinct “” sharks, suggesting this species may be an evolutionary link between primitive and modern sharks. The sixgill shark has been used in the production of oil and meal.

References used: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. Ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Martin, R. A. Carcharhiniformes: Ground or Whaler Sharks. ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research. Accessed 25 Jan 2009. Martin, R. A. hexanchiformes: Cow Sharks. ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research. Accessed 25 Jan 2009. Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World, 3rd. ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.

Taxonomy: Superclass- Gnathostomata (jawed fishes) Class- Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish) Order- Squaliformes Families- (sleeper sharks) perryi - Dwarf Lanternshark brasiliensis - Cookie-cutter Shark Echinorhinidae (bramble sharks) (dogfish sharks) Squalus acanthias - 4 families, 23 genera, 74 species

Description: Five gill slits, no anal fin or nictitating lower eye lid, spiracles, and two dorsal fins toward the middle to end of its body with or without a poisonous spine attached.

Habitat: Typically found in the deep ocean, some species are found in shallow parts of the ocean.

Distribution: Northern and Southern hemispheres in both tropical and polar waters.

Ecology and Life History: Thought to be mostly ovoviviparous but some are oviparous little is known of their lifecylce. Average length is 2-3 feet but some species are as large as 21 feet ( microcephalus) and as small as 8 inches (Etmopterus perryi)- Dwarf Lanternshark the smallest shark in the world. Some species are generalist carnivorous feeders consuming , invertebrates, fishes and other sharks. While others like the Cookie-cutter Shark (Isistius brasiliensis) are known for their unique way of eating; it ambushes its prey, which consists of large marine and fishes, and carves out plugs of flesh from their bodies.

Additional details: Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is among the most noted species in this order and has commercial importance in Europe and Asia as food, liver oil, vitamins and sand paper. It has the longest gestation period of any known shark 18-24 months.

References used: Ellis, R. 1975. The Book of Sharks. Grosset and Dunlap, New York. Lythgoe J. and G. Lythgoe. 1992. Fishes of the Sea. Blandford Press. Migdalski EC and GS Fichter. 1976. Fresh and Salt Water Fishes of the World. Vineyard Books. Nelson, J. S. 1994. Fishes of the World. 3rd. ed. Wiley and Sons, New York. Paxton, J. R. and W. N. Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes. Academic Press.

Squatiniformes

TAXONOMY: Superclass Gnathostomata- Jawed fish Class Chondrichthyes Subclass Elasmobranchii- Sharks and Rays Order Squatiniformes Family Squatinidae- Angel sharks 1 genera, ~ 13 species

DESCRIPTION: flat body with -like pectoral fins. They have overlapping gill slits not attaching to head. Barbels on anterior margin. They have eyes. Two small spineless dorsal fins behind pelvic fins, no anal fin. Caudal fin unique with lower lobe slightly longer than upper lobe (hypocercal). Maximum length up to 2 M.

HABITAT: marine only, most inhabit shallow temperate, one species prefer deeper down to 1,300 meters.

DISTIBUTION: Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

ECOLOGY & LIFE HISTORY: Ovoviviparous, feed on small bony fishes, , cephalopods, gastropods and bivalves. Use a protrusible traplike to snap up prey at a high speed.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: A sluggish fish. Their flattened bodies give resemblance to skates and rays. At one time they were heavily fished and are now critically endangered. Not normally aggressive unless stepped on.

References used: www.fishbase.com www.wikipedia.com

Pristiophoriformes

Taxomony: Superclass Gnathostomata – Jawed Class Chondrichthyes- Cartilaginous Fishes Subclass Elasmobranchii Order Pristiophoriformes Family Pristiophoridae 2 genera, 5 species

Description: Cartilaginous fishes, with long, elongated snouts that flatten and contain teeth on the edges, similar to a sawblade. 2 barbels, one on each side of the head. Five to six gill slits, two dorsal fins without spines. No anal fins. Marine only, ovoviviparous(embryos feed on yolk).

Habitat: Mostly soft bottom habitat

Distribution: marine, temperate zone, warmer parts of the Indian to Pacific oceans, intertidal zone to edge of continental shelf, mostly 40 ~ 915 m depths

Ecology and life history: Produce 4-12 young in large eggs, carry eggs in body cavity until eggs are ready to hatch. predators who search in soft sediment, stir up prey with flat nose, swing toothed snout to injure prey. Some of the order move in schooling patterns.

Additional details: Used for in Asia.

First fossil evidence: Cretaceous, ~145.5 – 65.5 MYA

References used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth Fishbase.org

Rajiformes

Taxomony: Superclass Gnathostomata Class Chondrichthyes Subclass Elasmobranchii – sharks, skates, and rays Order – Skates and rays Families (10) Anacanthobatidae - Smooth skates; 1 7 species Dasyatidae - Stingrays; 9 genera 70 species Gymnuridae - Butterfly rays; 2 genera 12 species Hexatrygonidae - Sixgill stingrays; 1 genus 1 species Myliobatidae - Eagle and manta rays; 7 genera 42 species Plesiobatidae - Deepwater ; 1 genus 1 species - stingrays; 3 genera 20 species Rajidae - Skates; 14 genera 200 species Rhinobatidae - ; 7 genera 45 species - Round rays; 2 genera 35 species

Description: Ventral gill openings; anterior edge of the greatly enlarged pectoral fin attached to side of head, anterior to the gill openings; anal fin absent; eyes and spiracles on dorsal surface; anterior vertebrae fused to form a synarcual; suprascapulae of pectoral girdles joined dorsally over and articulating with column of synarcual or fused with synarcual; nictitating membrane absent, cornea attached directly to skin around the eyes; body generally strongly depressed; protrusible in most; teeth pavementlike; cartilaginous

Habitat: Benthic to varying levels of water column

Distribution: Marine: tropical/subtropical waters, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, South , some benthic in all oceans; Freshwater: neotropical

Ecology and life history: Except for those living off the bottom, water for breathing is taken in chiefly through the spiracle rather than the mouth; most are viviparous (birth live young) while others produce eggs encased in a horny capsule (oviparous); the snout may function as an electroreceptive organ; found in marine, brackish, and fresh waters; generally carnivorous though some are filter feeders

Additional details: are considered good eating; Potamotrygonidae is the only living chondrichthyan family restricted to freshwater habitats; manta rays among the largest fishes but are harmless and some are known for their jumping ability high into the air; some species have venomous spines on tail

References used: www.fishbase.com Coelacanthiformes

Taxonomy Superclass- Gnathostomata Class- (lobe-finned fishes) Order- Coelacanthiformes Family- Latimeriidae Genus- Species- Latimeria chalumnae, Latimeria menadoensis (None found in )

Description- Robust body, covered with bony scales with tubercles which act as armor. Two dorsal fins, the second dorsal, anal and paired fins are lobed allowing if to fall in the Sarcopterygii class. Caudal fin is rounded, with a small lobe projecting from the middle of the fin. Cartilaginous structure with a central . A rosteral organs in the acts as an electroreceptive device. Individuals can reach up to 2 m in length and weigh up to 68 kg.

Habitat- Sub-marine caves on steep drop offs greater than 100m deep.

Distribution- Distribution: Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros archipelago, and South Africa

Ecology and Life History- Coelacanthiformes are lone predators that feed on , , and other fish that inhabit their deep reef habitat. The fish uses its rosteral organ to locate prey by swimming with its head pointed at the ground with its belly up. They are known to be able to slow down there metabolism and inhabit greater depths while demanding less energy. The fish are ovoviparous, meaning 20-60 eggs are stored in the where they feed on their yolk sac until they are born.

Additional Details- Although only two species in this order exist today, more than 120 fossilized species are known to be related to the two species today. These fossilized creatures were thought to have gone extinct more than 65 million ago.

References- www.fishbase.org, accessed on January 22, 2009 www.marinebio.org, accessed on January 22, 2009 Ceratodontiformes

Class Sarcopterygii- lobe-finned fishes Order Ceratodontiformes Family forsteri – Australian (1 species)

Description: Lungfish have like pectoral and pelvic fins, large scales and small eyes. The dorsal fin starts midway down the back and is continuous with the caudal and anal fins. Their coloring is usually an olive-green to brown and the sides contain scattered dark blotches and some white on the ventral sides. One unique characteristic is that the Australian lungfish has only a single , while every other lungfish posses a pair. They have the ability to breath air at the surface during water quality changes.

Habitat and Distribution: Lungfish are seen primarily in freshwater like deep pools in still, slow moving rivers. Their distribution is restricted to Queensland, and they seek calm water with aquatic vegetation suitable for spawning.

Ecology and Life History: The Australian lungfish feed off of other fishes, , and invertebrates like larvae, , snails, and freshwater crustaceans. It is believed that they use their sense of smell along with to locate prey due to their poor vision. Spawning occurs at night from August to December, with the most occurring in October. Fertilized eggs are attached to aquatic plants and hatch in three weeks.

Additional Details: date back on the fossil record 380 million years ago. There are six species of lungfish in total; four are apart of the genus (Family Protopteridae) and inhabit Africa. Lepidosiren paradoxa (Family ) are found in and the last is the Australian lungfish, creating its own family. The can only breathe air and can live in moist mud for months at a time. Protopterus annectens is an African lungfish that forms a cocoon by secreting mucous and stays dormant for several months during the dry season. The Australian Lungfish do not demonstrate these characteristics and can only live out of water for a few days. This particular species is protected and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild and Flora) has implemented strict regulations on its export. For an interesting fact there is an Australian Lungfish at the Shedd in Chicago named ‘Granddad’ that is over eighty years old and is believed to be the oldest fish in captivity.

References: 1. McGrouther, M. 2006. Fishes. Australian Museum Fish Site. http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/nforsteri.htm 2. www.fishbase.com

Lepidosireniformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata - jawed vertebrates Class Sarcopterygii - lobe-finned fishes Order Lepidosireniformes - South American and African lungfish Family Lepidosirenidae - South American lungfish 1 genera, 1 species - Lepidosiren paradoxa Family Protopteridae - African lungfish 1 genera, 4 species - Protopteridae

Description: anguilliform, small scales deeply embedded in skin, filamentous pectoral and pelvic fins without rays, membranous , paired (gas bladder), use atmospheric oxygen, ineffective reduced gills, species are 1-2 meters Adults aestivate (dormant) during the dry season, larvae have external gills

Habitat: Mostly swampy habitat, which often contains low concentrations of dissolved oxygen; only freshwater

Distribution: South America and Africa

Ecology and Life History: must come to the surface for air when the swamps dry up, can burrow into muddy bottom and create a mucous cocoon around themselves and can aestivate for several months until the next rainy season after aestivation and the fish return to full activity nests are constructed and breeding begins ( African lungfish make nests from simple holes in swamp while South American lungfish construct burrows), larvae are held in place by a secretion from a cement organ on the breast region, eggs and larvae are guarded by the male

Additional Details: developed into a highly vascularized lung which enables them to breathe air First found 380 millions years ago Provide evidence of continental drift between Africa and South America

References used: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd .ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Paxton, J.R. and W.N. Eschmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes, 2nd . ed. Academic Press. www.fishbase.com

South American lungfish Polypteriformes

Taxonomy: Superclass: Gnathostomata (jawed) Class: (ray-finned) Order: Polypteriformes Families: Polypteridae Genus (two): () and Erpetoichthys (reedfish) Number of species: 10

Description: Olive brown to dark brown in color. May have irregular stripes or spots that can be dark or clear. Anguilliform body with thick ganoid scales. Depressed head with terminal mouth and fleshy lips. Anal fins are sexually dimorphic, with males displaying a broader and more muscular anal fin. Caudal fin is distally rounded and has only rays. Bilobed swim bladder with the left lobe less developed. Have functional gills and also a lunglike evagination near the esophagus which functions in gas exchange and allows them to live in oxygen deficient water. Young have branched external gills which disappear in adulthood. Have four gill arches versus the usual five in gnathostomes. Most are shorter then 30 centimeters in length, the maximum record is 1.2 meters. Dorsal fin is a series of separated small fins or “finlets”, each with a spine.

Habitat: They live only in freshwater, in both fast and slow-moving rivers, swamps, floodplains, and lakes. They are able to live in very oxygen-deficient, stagnant water.

Distribution: Found only in Africa, mostly Western and central Africa, with three species in the Nile River. Nine out of the ten species can be found in the Zaire river basin. They are absent from all rivers that drain into the .

Ecology and life history: Carnivorous; eat insect larvae, snails, earthworms, freshwater crustaceans, fishes, and . Nocturnal predators. Male uses enlarged anal fins and caudal fin to envelop genital area of female during mating. Eggs adhere to vegetation. There is no parental care of the eggs or fry. Larvae have -like appearance with large, feathery gills. Long-lived species; can live up to fifty years in captivity.

Additional details: - First fossil record occurs in the middle , with in both South America and Africa, which suggests polypteriformes existed before Gondwanaland broke apart. - Most primitive actinopterygian group - One species, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, is somewhat terrestrial, and can survive on land for up to an hour, using their lunglike evagination to breathe. This method of respiration is called recoil aspiration. They use the passive recoil created from having rigid scales to inhale (instead of using positive pressure like lungfishes). Since their scales are similar to those of the earliest , it is thought possible that the physiology behind recoil aspiration is a similar, independently derived trait. - Important in the ornamental fish trade, and larger birchers are a highly regarded food in West Africa. - No species are threatened or protected.

References used: Barton, Michael. 2007. Bond’s Biology of Fishes, 3rd edition. Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont, CA. http://www.answers.com/topic/polypteriformes-bichirs-biological-family http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/OrdersSummary.cfm?order=Polypteriformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata Class Actinopterygii – Ray-finned Fish Order Acipenseriformes Families Acipenseridae () Polyodontidae () 6 Genera, 25 species Familiar Species: ,

Description: Primarily cartilaginous Heterocercal caudal fin, ganoid scales present on upper portion of caudal fin Inferior mouth position, 2-4 barbels, gill rakers Gills as well as separate air bladder, swim bladder Differentiated from most other actinopterygians in the location of the anus and urogenital opening at the base of the pelvics Elongated body structure, up to 8 meters in some species, elongated snouts but length varies among species

Habitat: Mostly anadromous between coastal waters and large rivers. Polyodontidae specific to rivers and rare occasions of .

Distribution: Only found in northern portion of Northern hemisphere, holarctic distribution Polyodontidae only found occasionally outside the and River

Ecology and Life History: Diet consists of worms, crustaceans, , and occasionally small fish, bottom feeders but not scavengers Migrate upstream to breeding grounds, adhesive eggs stick to rocks or substrate and hatch after 3- 5 days, larvae (~ 1cm) drift downstream to suitable rearing habitat Slow growth and long life span, reach sexual maturity around 8-12 years, males reach maturity before females, some species can live over 100 years

Additional details: Most sought after for their flesh and for their eggs as Almost all species are threatened or endangered

References used: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Paxton, J.R. and W.N. Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes 2nd ed. Academic Press.

Semionotiformes

Taxonomic Status: *Superclass: (bony fishes), Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Seminotiformes, *There is one family: Lepisosteidae (), and 2 genera: Atractosteus (broadhead gars), and Lepisosteus (slender gars) *Local Species: longnose (Lepisosteus osseous)

Description: *Body type: elongate (sagittiform) *Long snouts containing needle-like teeth, heavily armored ganoid scales, short heterocercal tail, and dorsal fin positioned far down the posterior, few dorsal rays with no spines, vascularized swim bladder allowing for aerial respiration

Habitat: *Occupy both fresh and brackish water, typically demersal, prefer shallow, weedy, and slow moving water of lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Distribution: *North and Central America *Typically along the coasts and inland from to northern Mexico

Ecology/Life History: *Piscivorous feeder with an ambush-style attack from a stationary position. They are voracious, consuming a variety of fish and crustaceans

Additional Details: *Their is poisonous and left unguarded during development. *Their ability to aerially respire allows them to live in very low Oxygen environments

Amiiformes

Taxonomy: Superclass: Class: Actinopterygii Order: Family: (Caturidae, Liosmidae, and Sinamiidae are extinct) Genera/Species: 1, calva (). Common names include Blackfish, cottonfish, mudfish, & freshwater dogfish

Description: The long, bow-shaped dorsal fin is very recognizable, hence the name "bowfin." It consists of 145-250 rays, and is single-lobed. There is a black eye spot that can be found high on the caudal peduncle. One peculiar feature is the gular plate, located on the exterior of the lower jaw between the two sides of the jawbone.

Habitat: Freshwater, in swampy, sluggish vegetated bays of warm lakes and rivers. It is suggested that adults move into deeper water of these bays as they age.

Distribution: Eastern , including the eastern half of the lower 48 United States, southern Ontario, and Quebec.

Ecology & Life History: are predaceous, feeding on , larvae, ostracods, and other zooplankton at the larval stage. As adults, other fish become the main source of food. They are slow, cumbersome predators that rely on sight and scent. There are no natural predators of adult A. calva.

Additional Details: generally consider the Bowfin to be a pest. They have no value as food and are not fished commercially or recreationally. However, in many habitats they are important in controlling other undesirable species.

References: http://www.answers.com/topic/amiiformes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowfin

Osteoglossiformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order Family Osteoglossidae – Hiodontidae – (present in Vermont) – knifefishes – elephantifishes Gymnarchidae (one sp., no ) Pantodontieae – 4 genera, 5 species

Description: Similar in appearance to arapaimatids. Elongate, slender bodies. Most with very large scales. Unlike arapairmatid, osteoglossids have barbels present at the symphasis of lower jaw, highly compressed abdomen (versus nearly cylindrical), and huge mouth with a markedly oblique gape. Pelvic fins well behind base of pectoral fins (in most species) Some with suprabranchial organ and capable of air-breathing. Vertebrae 60-100. Name originates from presence of well-developed teeth on tongue and parasphenoid

Notopterids and mormyrids generate and detect weak electric currents, used for communication Both have highly tapered bodies with elongated anal fins used for locomotion

Butterflyfish have under pectoral fin, with elongated rays

Habitat: tropical, freshwater.

Distribution: Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Neotropical region.

Ecology and life history: Until recently, Osteoglossids were considered part of the arapairmatid family. Most are or inhabiting quiet waters.

Additional details: Popular aquarium fish in Asia and N. America

References used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Nelson, Fishes of the World www.fishbase.com

Elopiformes Taxonomy Class: Actinopterygii Order: , , and allies Families: 2 , megalopidae Genera: 3 Species: 7

Description Large, herring like fish. Compressed to fusiform body form. Forked homocercal tail. Marine, fresh, brackish water. Tarpon fossils date back 135 mya. Early species identified by boney throat, called gular plates. Can breathe air at surface in low oxygen environments. M. atlanticus can reach 160kg, more than 2m. Terminal to superior mouth. 22-29 anal fin rays. 10-11 pelvic fin rays. 13-16 Dorsal rays 13-16. 41-48 scales. 67-68 vertebrae. Lateral line tubes branched (radiates over surface of lat line scales). Abdominal pelvic fins. Wide gill openings. Forked caudle fin. Cycloid scales. , called leptocephali, are small with well developed forked caudle fin and posterior dorsal fin. 53-86 myomeres. Zero spines.

Habitat Fresh water, brackish, marine. Reef oriented. Tropcal.

Distribution USA, to Argentina, to Africa.

Ecology and life history Anadromous. Born in sea, but larvae end up in estuarine nursery grounds.

Additional details Flesh not edible, but excellent sport fish due to size and behavior when caught.

Refs: Paxton, J.R. & W. N. Eschmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Nelson, J. S. 1994. Fishes of the World. 3rd. ed. Wiley and Sons, New York. www.fishbase.com

Albuliforms

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata Class Actinopterygii – ray-finned fishes Order Albuliforms - bonefishes Family Albuloidei - bonefishes 2 genera, ~ 10 species

Description: The body is long, thin, fusiform shape. Dissimilar fishes in the order, but share snout and inferior mouth, sensory canals on snout, and rostral ossicles. Lateral sensory canals can be large and cavernous. Mandibular sensory canal in opening in dentary and angular bones (with small roof). Abdominal pelvic fins, low-based pectoral fins, forked caudal fins.

Habitat: Mainly marine waters, but also fresh waters, and brackish waters. Many reef associated; marine tropical climates from 0-84 ft.

Distribution: Tropical and subtropical waters around the world including , Caribbean, pacific coast of Central America, deep waters off of Japan and West Africa.

Ecology and life history: Live in shallow sandy flats in tropical regions while other suborders live in very deep waters. Develop from larvae. Eggs and larvae start out in deep water. When reach sexual maturity from 1-2 yrs, move to shallower waters. Can tolerate oxygen poor waters. Inhales air through airbladder to get oxygen from the water. They typically eat benthic organisms with help from their plated teeth and tongue that grind up prey.

Additional details: Prized fish in tropical and subtropical waters of world.

References used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd . ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. P.137 Family Albulidae – Bonefishes. Retrieved Saturday, January 24, 2009 from http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/FamilySummary.cfm?Family=Albulidae - MarineBio.org. Retrieved Sunday, January 25, 2009, from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=393

Anguilliformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata- jaw bearing fishes Class Actinopterygii- ray finned fishes Order Anguilliformes- aprodes ~15-20 Families Anguillidae- Muraenidae- morays - conger eels ~110 Genera, 400-600 Species VT Species: Anguilla rostrata- American

Description: Elongate, anguilliform (eel-like) fishes with a large number of vertebrae. Scales are absent in many families but some have embedded cycloid scales. Dorsal and anal fins are confluent with the caudal fin. Pelvic fins and girdles absent in more modern eels. Some also lack pectoral fins and girdles. When pectoral fins present, girdle is not connected with the skull. Gill openings usually small and narrow and are displaced posteriorly from the edge of the concealed . Gill rakers absent; Toothed ; 4-16 branchiostegal rays. Gas bladder is present and usually physostomous. absent.

Habitat: Found in marine, freshwater and brackish habitats such as lakes, , reefs and the open ocean. Most true eels dwell in shallow waters and often burrow in soft sediment, however, some species are pelagic.

Distribution: Mostly marine or catadromous. Found in tropical and temperate oceans and rivers draining into the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and Baltic.

Ecology and Life History: External fertilization occurs. The eggs are relatively large. After a prolarval stage there is a leptocephalous larval stage in development, during which they are long, transparent and laterally compressed. The larvae drift and feed opportunistically throughout the water column. Metamorphose into juveniles, called elvers, after between 6 months and 3 years. Disperse to adult habitat via currents. Most juveniles are hermaphroditic. Adults are predatory.

Additional Details: Many species of eels are eaten by people, especially in Asian cuisine. They are also extremely popular in the aquarium trade.

References Used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. Ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth www.fishbase.com

Clupeiformes

Taxonomy: Super class- Class- Actinopterygii ( ray-finned fishes) Order- Family- Chirocentridae ( ), , Denticipitidae (Denticle herring), Engraulidae (), , Sundasalangidae ( Sundaland noodlefishes) Discription: They are small and covered in large scales. They are fusiform in shape and have black and silvery toned bodies. Many of the Clupeiformes have a row of spiny scales along the middle of the body. They have soft rayed fins. Clupeiformes do not have a lateral line present. They have forked tails and a single dorsal fin towards the center of the body. They have true skeleton.

Habitat: Live in open water. Most often found in salt water habitats. Often swim close to the surface of the water at night but then swim deeper during the day.

Distribution: Clupeiformes are found world wide between 70 degrees North and 60 degrees South. Ecology and Life History: Clupeiformes form large schools of hundreds to thousands of individuals in a single school. Many Clupeiformes migrate. Clupeiformes produce a large number of offspring in seasonal spawning. They feed on plankton with gill rakers.

Additional details: Only known group to have a recessus lateralis present.

References: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. Ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. www.fishbase.com http://animals.jrank.org/pages/2009/Herrings-Clupeiformes.html http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Clupeiformes.html http://www.answers.com/topic/clupeiformes ______Gonorynchiformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata- jawed fishes Class Actinopterygii- ray finned fishes Order 4 Families: - 1 genus, 1 species- (Chanos chanos) - 1 genus, 5 species- beaked /sandfish Knaeriidae- 4 genera, 30 species- knerias and shell-ears Phractolaemidae- 1 genus, 1 species- hingemouth

Description: Unifying characteristic is the modified first three vertebrae and ribs. Differ from Ostophysi because they lack fully developed . All have lateral line, forked caudal fin, paired fins. Other characteristics vary by family. Chanidae: compressed fusiform body, cycloid scales, terminal mouth, 4-5 brachiostegal rays. Gonorynchidae: elongate/sagittiform body, ctenoid scales, subterminal mouth, lack swim bladder, pointed snout with barbels. Knaeriidae and Phractolaemidae: elongate/sagittiform body, cycloid scales, subterminal mouth, alveoli in swim bladder that enables air breathing. Some members of have a cup-shaped structure on the operculum that gives them the name shell-ear.

Habitat: Variable based on family. Chanidae: marine near reefs or coast as well as inland , mangroves or freshwater streams. Gonorynchidae: marine coastal. Kneriidae and Phractolaemidae: tropical freshwater streams and rivers.

Distribution: Chanidae and Gonorynchidae in Indian and tropical Pacific oceans. Kneriidae and Phractolaemidae in tropical Africa and Nile.

Ecology and Life History: Feed on and invertebrates. Gonorynchidae are nocturnal and remained buried in the sand during the day. Chanidae eggs and larvae are marine, but migrate inland to brackish or freshwater after 2-3 weeks, returning to the sea to . Some members of Kneriidae and Phractolaemidae may estivate.

Additional details: Milkfish are an important fish food in Asia.

References used: Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. www.fishbase.com

Chanidae (Chanos) Gonorynchidae ()

Cypriniformes I

Taxonomy: Superclass: Osteichthyes Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) Order: Superfamily http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cobitioidea&action=edit&redlink=1Cobitioidea Family Balitoridae - river 37 genera, 500 species Family - suckers 13 genera, 68 species Quillback ( cyprinus) Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Greater redhorse ( valenciennesi) Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) Family - loaches 18 genera, 110 species Family Gyrinocheilidae - algae eaters 1 genera, 4 species

Description: Kinethmoid bone, upper jaw usually protractile, toothless except in throat, absent adipose fin, less head, single dorsal fin

Habitat: Freshwater

Distribution: Most diverse in Southeast Asia absent from Australia and South America

Ecology and life history: Families Balitoridae and Gyrinocheilidae reside in mountain streams and feed on invertebrates and algae. Cobitidae are like in that they have barbells and feed primarily on substrate.

Additional Details: Catostomidae is the only family found in Vermont with 6 species. Some cypriniformes are fished for but the most popular use is for . Cyprinids are first to develop upper protrusible jaw.

References used: Helfmen, G.S. B.B, Collette, D.E. Facey. 1997. The Diversity of Fishes. Blackwell Science Inc. Langdon, R.W., M.T. Ferguson, K.M. Cox. 2006. Fishes of Vermont. Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. Nelson, J.S., 1994. Fishes of the world. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.

Cypriniformes II - Cypronoidea

Taxonomy: Superclass: Osteichthyes Class: Actinopterygii Subclass: Superorder: Order: Cypriniformes () Superfamily: Cyprinoidea Families:

Description: Body is compressiform, with one dorsal fin. The caudal fin tends to be emarginated. Pelvic fins tend to be approximately at the ½ point of the body, and the pectoral fins are low, but not ventral. Cyprinids lack jaw-teeth. They have both an incurrent naris and an excurrent naris over their olfactory rosettes. They are characterized by subcarangiform swimming, due to their thicker forebody, relegating undulations to the rear 2/3 of the body.

Habitat: Cyprinids are found in freshwater lakes and streams in a great variety of climates. They tend more towards bottom-feeding.

Distribution: large distribution, including nearly all of Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North America. They are not found in South America or Australia.

Ecology and Life History: the majority of cyprinids scatter their eggs and make spawning a communal process. However, like many of their other traits, this is extremely plastic, and there are many extremely elaborate mating rituals. They are commonly farmed in Asia and florida, leading to their introduction as invading species in those areas, where commercial types have replaced much of the native fauna. feeding strategy is highly variable, even within species.

Additional Details: Cypronids tend to have a higher tolerance for warm water than most fish, and thus also for lower oxygen levels. They show tremendous plasticity in their mouthparts, even for a fish. Both of these traits may be related to how it has adapted to such variable environments.

References Used: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. Edition. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. Paxton, J.R. and W.N. Eshmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of Fishes, 2nd Edition. Academic Press.

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata – jawed fishes Class Actinopterygii – ray-finned fishes Superorder Ostariophysi Order Characiformes- characins and relatives Families Acestrorhynchidea, Alestidea, Anostomidea, (tetras, ), Chilodontidae, Citharinidae, Crenuchidae, Ctenoluciidae, Curimatidae, Cynodonidae, Distichodontidae, Erythrinidae, Gasteropelecidae (hatchetfishes), , Hepsetidae, Lebiasinidae (pencilfish), , ~270 genera, over 1500 species

Description: Opposing pharyngeal teeth, an adipose fin, separation of the first hypural from the compound ural centrum (in adults), orbitosphenoid, parietal, symplecic, and subopercular bones are present, jaws are present and barbells are absent, body almost always scaled, ctenoid or ctenoidlike scales in some, pelvic fin present (with 5-12 rays), anal fin short to moderately long (fewer than 45 rays), lateral line often decurved, sometimes incomplete, usually 19 principal caudal fin rays, obtains a structure called the Weberian apparatus (a distinctive modification of the anterior-most four or five vertebrae, connecting the swim bladder to the , possibly for efficient sound transmission)

Habitat: Tropical, found in fresh water, lakes, rivers, and streams

Distribution: Africa and South America, north through Central America and Mexico to the Rio Grande in Texas

Ecology and life history: Most are carnivores, largest can reach up to 100-130 cm in length and up to 50 Kg, the smallest do not exceed 26 mm in length, variety of feeding modes (detritivory, herbivory, planktivory, predatory)

Additional details: Piranhas, tetras, hatchetfishes, and pencilfishes are popular in the aquarium trade, others have commercial importance as a food resource for communities living along the banks of tropical river (African citharinids and Neotropical prochilodontids), some Characidae are important sport- species, controversy over how many families exist (12-18)

References used: Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. Ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth www.fishbase.com www.tolweb.org Siluriformes

Taxonomic status: Superclass Gnathostomata Class Actinopterygii Order Siluriformes 20-30+ families, 436 genera, ~2500 species examples: Diplomystidae (velvet ), Callichthyidae (armored catfish)

Description: no true scales, skin is bare or covered in bony plates, barbels present on most species, adipose fin usually present, flattened head allows for digging and benthic feeding, pectoral and dorsal fins have large modified spiny rays, spines have venom glands and a locking mechanisms that can hold dorsal fins erect

Habitat: some marine families, most families inhabit shallow running freshwater, a few families inhabit caves

Distribution: found on every continent except Antarctica (found as fossils), more than half live in the Americas

Ecology: extremely diverse in appearance and life history (some species breathe air and can ‘walk’ on land), range in length from 10mm (trichomycterids) to 5m (European wels), most are omnivorous however some families are parasitic, most species are nocturnal and depend on tactile/chemosensitive barbels or enlarged olfactory organs, most species provide parental care to eggs and some provide care to young

Additional details: depending on global location many species are of major economic importance (Ictalurus punctatus supports a $450 million/yr industry), because of their global distribution and diversity they are of great interest to evolutionary biologists

References: Bond, C. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth. FishBase. www.fishbase.org. Integrated Taxonomic Information System. www.itis.gov/index.html. . http://tolweb.org/Siluriformes.

giant Mekong catfish (Pangasianodon gigas)

Gymnotiformes

Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata -- vertebrates with jaws Class Actinopterygii -- ray-finned fishes Order -- knifefishes Families Apteronotidae, Gymnotidae , , Sternopygidae 5 genera ~ 155 species VT species None present

Description: Body eel-like, pelvic girdle and fins absent, dorsal fin absent, anal fin extremely long (more than 140 rays), caudal fin absent or greatly reduced, restricted gill openings, anal opening under head or pectorals; pterygiophores to anal fin with only one section and a hemispherical cartilaginous head that articulates the fin rays (allowing them to move in a circular motion), electric organs present, sub- operculum absent, palatine not ossified, maxilla rudimentary.

Habitat: Freshwater rivers and streams in Neotropic areas (warm waters and an abundance of plants and animals)

Distribution: Guatemala to Northern Argentina.

Ecology and life history: Theories about why there are no Gymnotiformes in Africa is because they did not spread far enough before continental drift occurred or that they were out competed by other species.

Additional details: They are from the time period (206 to 144 million years ago). The electric charges that these fish possess are used for defense and hunting.

References used:

Agbayani, E. 2005. Order Summary for Gymnotiformes. Fishbase.com. Accessed January 23, 2009 at http://www.fishbase.org/summary/ordersSummary. cfm?order=Gymnotiformes.

Superclass: Gnathostomata- Jawed fishes Class: Actinopterygii- ray-finned fishes Order: Esociformes- mudminnows and pikes Families: & Umbridae (also Dalliidae according to Bond) 4 genera, and 10 species

Description: The Esocidae are medium to large size carnivorous fish found in freshwater that have jaw and snout extended into a long mouth. Have an elongated body with medial fins set rearward with a sagittaform body. Forked tail.

The Umbridae are small fish, usually less than 15cm long. Also have medial fins set rearward on the body.

Habitat: Esocidae prefer aquatic vegetation or other cover that they can ambush prey from. While Umbridae prefer bogs, stagnant ditches, and streams of low gradient which have muddy bottoms hide in.

Distribution: freshwater, northern parts of the northern hemisphere in North America and Eurasia, 74°N - 25°N

Ecology and Life History: Sit and wait predators that use quick burst of speed to capture their prey.

Additional Details: The Esocidae are considered sport fish throughout their range.

References: www.fishbase.org

Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2008. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed January 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.org.

Bond, C.E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth.