Ostariophysi

Ostariophysi
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous–Recent[1]
Milkfish, Chanos chanos
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Cohort: Otocephala
Superorder: Ostariophysi
Lord, 1922
Orders with number of species

Gonorynchiformes 37
Cypriniformes 4,501
Characiformes 2,168
Gymnotiformes 239
Siluriformes 3,813

Ostariophysi is the second-largest superorder of fish. Members of this superorder are called ostariophysians. This diverse group contains 10,758 species, about 28% of known fish species in the world and 68% of freshwater species, and are present on all continents except Antarctica. They have a number of common characteristics such as an alarm substance and a Weberian apparatus.[1] Members of this group include fish important to people for food, sport, the aquarium industry, and research.

  1. ^ a b Nelson, Joseph, S. (2006). Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN 0-471-25031-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)