Fishes of the World

THE LANDMARK REFERENCE FOR FISH DIVERSITY, UPDATED WITH NEW FINDINGS AND ILLUSTRATIONS

Fishes of the World is the indispensable reference featuring the only modern phylogenetic classification of the world′s fishes, fossil and extant. A true classic in the field, this new fifth edition gathers the latest findings from the scientific community to enable the understanding of fish diversity, family characteristics, evolutionary relationships, and more. New molecular phylogenetic results are assessed and integrated with sound morphological and paleontological evidence. The taxonomy includes both scientific and common names, anatomical characteristics, distributions, biological characteristics, and representative drawings for 555 families of fishes to provide a truly comprehensive resource. First published in 1976, this book has become the de facto reference for fish classication and diversity.

This new fifth edition features:

Completely updated and extensively revised ranked classification, including competing hypotheses for many groups A comprehensive taxonomic framework for both fossil and living species Many new phylogenetic diagrams that clarify relationships among lineages More than 525 illustrations, including new diagrams, recently discovered species, and the latest fossil finds

There are more fish species than there are mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians combined. The field is truly massive, making critical analysis and reliable, respected references essential for the advancement of research. Unique in its modern systematic presentation since the first edition, Fishes of the World is relied upon by professional ichthyologists, students, and fish enthusiasts around the globe.

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

PHYLUM CHORDATA

Subphylum Craniata

Superclass Myxinomorphi to Osteostracomorphi

Superclass Gnathostomata

Class Placodermi Class Chondrichthyes

Subclass Holocephali

Order Chimaeriformes

Subclass Elasmobranchii

Order Heterodontiformes

Order Orectolobiformes

Order Lamniformes

Order Carcharhiniformes

Order Hexanchiformes

Order Echinorhiniformes

Order Squaliformes

Order Squatiniformes

Order Pristiophoriformes

Order Torpediniformes

Order Pristiformes

Order Rajiformes

Order Myliobatiformes

Class Acanthodii

Class Actinopterygii

Subclass Cladistia

Order Polypteriformes

Subclass Chrondrostei

Order Acipenseriformes

Subclass Neopterygii

Order Lepisosteiformes

Order Amiiformes

Division Teleostei

Subdivision Osteoglossomorpha

Order Hiodontiformes

Order Osteoglossiformes

Subdivision Elopomorpha

Order Elopiformes

Order Albuliformes

Order Anguilliformes

Order Saccopharyngiformes

Subdivision Ostarioclupeomorpha (= Otocephala)

Superorder Clupeomorpha

Order Clupeiformes

Superorder Ostariophysi

Order Gonorynchiformes

Order Cypriniformes

Order Characiformes

Order Siluriformes

Order Gymnotiformes

Subdivision Euteleostei

Superorder Protacanthopterygii

Order Argentiniformes

Order Osmeriformes

Order Salmoniformes

Order Esociformes

Superorder Stenopterygii

Order Stomiiformes

Superoder Ateleopodomorpha

Order Ateleopodiformes

Superorder Cyclosquamata

Order Aulopiformes

Supeorder Scopelomorpha

Order Myctophiformes

Superorder Lampriomorpha

Order Lampriformes

Superorder Polymixiomorpha

Order Polymixiiformes

Superorder Paracanthopterygii

Order Percopsiformes

Order Gadiformes

Order Ophidiiformes

Order Batrachoidiformes

Order Lophiiformes

Superorder Acanthopterygii

Series Mugilomorpha

Order Mugiliformes

Series Atherinomorpha

Order Atheriniformes

Order Beloniformes

Order Cyprinodontiformes

Series Percomorpha

Order Stephanoberyciformes

Order Beryciformes

Order Zeiformes

Order Gasterosteiformes

Order Synbranchiformes

Order Scorpaeniformes

Order Perciformes

Order Pleuronectiformes

Order Tetraodontiformes

Class Sarcopterygii

Subclass Coelacanthimorpha

Order Coelacanthiformes

Subclass Dipnotetrapodomorpha

Order Ceratodontiformes

Unranked Tetrapodomorpha

Infraclass Tetrapoda

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

JOSEPH S. NELSON, PhD, (1937 2011) author of the first four editions, was a Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

TERRY C. GRANDE, PhD, is an expert in fish morphology, development, and phylogeny. She is Professor of Biology at Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA.

MARK V.H. WILSON, PhD, is an expert in fish evolution, paleontology, and taxonomy. He is a Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and Affiliate Professor of Biology at Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA.