Part 4 – Teleostean Fishes - an Introduction Teleostei 38 orders 425 families ca genera

Neopterygii (new fins) Teleostei (end bone) Vertebrata Osteichthyes (bony fishes) Actinopterygii (ray fins)

Teleostei – end bone

Caudal fin internally and externally symmetrical

Heterocercal Abreviate heterocercal The path to symmetry ex. sturgeon ex. primitive ray fin - Amia

Homocercal ex. teleost fish

Upper Jaw re-arranged

Primitive Maxilla forms much of upper jaw Amia

Premaxilla forms of upper jaw Teleost maxilla Maxilla excluded from gape

Primitive Teleost

Flexible, mobile jaws Teleost

Maxilla Premaxilla

Premaxillaries (paired) Maxilla Protrusible jaws

Variation on the theme

Jaw alterations lead to more efficient feeding and gill ventilation

Lightweight scales (no armor)

What do these features say about niche?

Fossil Teleosts Pholidophoriformes Leptolepidiformes

Living Teleosts – 4 living groups 3 primitive groups

Living Teleosts – 4 living groups 1 (huge ) derived group

Teleostei Four Living groups

Bony-tongues Eels Sardines, etc. Minnows, catfishes, etc. Advanced things (everybody else) Teleost fishes

Ray-finned fish diversity

Paired fins One of many trends…..

Some primitive teleosts Bony-tongues

Eels Some primitive teleosts

19 th Century American Eel gigs

As decorative art

Some primitive teleosts Sardines, etc.

Anchovy fishery Herring fishery Sardines

Somewhat relatively primitive teleosts Minnows, catfishes, etc.

Freshwater specialists Ostariophysi Minnows, catfishes, etc.

Minnows, etc species ¼ known fishes 3/4 known f/w fishes

Spiny rayed fishes Advanced Teleosts