Superorder Acanthopterygii

General information Acanthopterygii is a superorder within the class teleostei. This superorder contains a remarkably diversity of the higher spiny- rayed fishes with 14,800 species in 267 families.

The Acanthoperygii are being distinguished by: A maximal upper jaw mobility and protrusibility; The high developed level of pharyngeal dentition and action.

Other features Acanthopterygians typically charactarize: Ctenoid scales; A physoclistous gas bladder; Two distinct dorsal fins, which of one is spiny and the other is soft- rayed; Pelvic and anal fins with spines; And a number of trends in feeding, locomotion, and predator protection.

Acanthopterygian species Lionfish (Scorpaeniformes) Tuna (Scombridae) Anglerfish (Lophiiformes)

Bibliography Anderson, M. Eric, and Leslie, Robin W. 2001. Review of the deep-sea anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of Southern Africa. Ichthyological Bulletin of the J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology; No. 70. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Rhodes University Nelson JS. 2006. Fishes of the world, 4th edn. New York: Wiley & Sons. O’Day, William T. (1974). Bacterial Luminescence in the Deep-sea Anglerfish. Natural history Museum of Los Angeles County. Schofield P.J. (2009). "Geographic extent and chronology of the invasion of non- native lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in the Western North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea". Aquatic Invasions. 4 (3): 473–479. Movie Anglerfish: http://www.arkive.org/anglerfish/lophius-piscatorius/video- 08.html

Collette B and 8 others (2011). "Thunnus maccoyii" Collette B and 8 others (2011). "Thunnus maccoyii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 9 January 2015. "This species has been intensively fished since the early 1950s. Its generation length is conservatively estimated to be 12 years. Estimated spawning stock biomass has declined approximately 85% over the past 36 years (1973–2009) and there is no sign that the spawning stock is rebuilding. It is therefore listed as Critically Endangered. Implementation of effective conservation and management measures are urgently needed.“ Block, Barbara A.; Booth, David; Carey, Francis G. (1992). "Direct measurement of swimming speeds and depth of blue marlin" (PDF). Journal of Experimental Biology. Company of Biologists Ltd. 166: 267–284. ISSN 0022-0949. Retrieved 19 September 2012. Helfman, G.S., Collette, B.B., Facey, D.E., Bowen, B.W., 2009. Book: The diversity of Fishes. 2nd edn. Wiley-Blackwell, (pp.) 291-292.