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Elopiformes

(Order)

Overview

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Elopiformes is the of ray-finned fish that includes 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 resemble 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 eight species:[2]

Order Elopiformes

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Order Elopiformes is further organized into finer groupings including:

Families

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Elopidae

Elopidae is a of ray-finned fish containing the single genus Elops. They are commonly known as ladyfishes, skipjacks, Jack-Rashes, or tenpounders. [more]

Megalopidae

There are two species of Tarpon, one native to the , and the other to the Indo-Pacific oceans. They are the only members of the family Megalopidae and genus Megalops. [more]

Pachyrhizodontidae

[more]

More info about the Family Pachyrhizodontidae may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ a b c McCosker, John F. (1998). Paxton, J.R. & Eschmeyer, W.N.. ed. Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 85-86. ISBN 0-12-547665-5. 
  2. ^ "Elopiformes". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2009 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2009.

Sources

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Last Revised: September 22, 2009
2009/09/22 07:50:18