Zeiformes
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous–Recent[1]
Zeus faber
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Superorder: Paracanthopterygii
Order: Zeiformes
Type species
Zeus faber
Families

See text

The Zeiformes /ˈziːɪfɔːrmiːz/ are a small order of exclusively marine ray-finned fishes[2] most notable for the dories, a group of common food fish. The order consists of about 33 species in six extant families, mostly deep-sea types.

Zeiform bodies are usually thin and deep. Mouths are large, with distensible jaws, and there is no orbitosphenoid. Pelvic fins have 5–10 soft rays and possibly a spine, 5–10 dorsal fin spines and up to 4 anal fin spines. They range in size from the dwarf dory (Macrurocyttus acanthopodus), at 43 millimetres (1.7 in) in length, to the Cape dory (Zeus capensis), which measures up to 90 centimetres (35 in).[1]

The boarfishes (Caproidae) have been included in this order though they are currently included in the Perciformes.

Families

Timeline of genera

QuaternaryNeogenePaleogeneCretaceousHolocenePleistocenePlioceneMioceneOligoceneEocenePaleoceneLate CretaceousEarly CretaceousZenionZeus (fish)ZenopsisCaprosCaprovesposusCyttoidesAntigonia (fish genus)PalaeocyttusMicrocaprosQuaternaryNeogenePaleogeneCretaceousHolocenePleistocenePlioceneMioceneOligoceneEocenePaleoceneLate CretaceousEarly Cretaceous

References

  1. ^ a b Karrer, C.; John, H-C. (1998). Paxton, J.R.; Eschmeyer, W.N. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Fishes. San Diego: Academic Press. pp. 165–167. ISBN 0-12-547665-5.
  2. ^ Bajaichthys elegans from the Eocene of Bolca (Italy) and the overlooked morphological diversity of Zeiformes (Teleostei, Acanthomorpha)
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