WFB 232 Ichthyology Albuliformes (Latin albulus, “whitish”) Taxonomy: Superclass Gnathostomata - jawed fishes Class Actinopterygii Division Teleostei Order Albuliformes - bonefishes Families Albulidae 2 genera, 5 species Description: The two genera in this order are Albula (bonefishes) and Pterothrissidae (deep-sea bonefish). Spiny eels and halosaurs were formerly classified as part of this order, but are now categorized as their own separate order, Notacanthiformes. jawed and bony ray-finned fishes that have abdominal pelvic fins and low-based pectoral fins, along with forked caudal fins “mandibular sensory canal lying in an open groove in the dentary and angular bones” (FishBase). inferior mouth Habitat: Mostly marine, but occasionally found in freshwater and brackish environments. Distribution: Tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, especially in the Caribbean. Ecology and life history: Generally consume benthic invertebrates. Able to function in oxygen-poor environments using a lung-like air bladder. In regards to reproductive guild, they are categorized as nonguarders. As members of the superorder Elopomorpha, they share a distinctive larval stage called a “leptocephalus”. Additional details: First fossil evidence occurred in the late Cretaceous period. They are considered a highly significant game species despite being mostly inedible. A pair of bonefish swimming together are featured on the Bahamas’ 10-cent coin. Recent research: Mundy, Bruce C.; Cole, Kathleen; Chave, E. H.; et al. (2011). Two deep-sea spiny eels, Notacanthus abbotti and Lipogenys gillii (Albuliformes: Notacanthidae), from the Hawaiian Archipelago and Emperor Seamounts with notes on their identification and biogeography. Ichthyological Research 58(3):263-271. References used: “Banknotes & Coins” from <http://www.centralbankbahamas.com/bank_coins.php> Bond, C. E. 1996. Biology of Fishes, 2nd. ed. Saunders College Publishing, Fort Worth Nelson, J. S. 1994. Fishes of the World. 3rd. ed. Wiley and Sons, New York. “Order Summary for Albuliformes” and “Family Albulidae – Bonefishes” from FishBase. Paxton, J. R. and W. N. Eschmeyer. 1998. Encyclopedia of fishes 2nd ed. Academic Press. Encyclopedia of Life - Albuliformes .