Syngnathiformes
Syngnathiformes is an order of ray-finned fishes that includes the pipefishes and seahorses.These fishes have elongate, narrow, bodies surrounded by a series of bony rings, and small, tubular mouths. Several groups live among seaweed and swim with the body aligned vertically, to blend in with the stems.In addition, the armoured stickleback (Indostomidae) and the Pegasidae (dragonfishes and sea moths) are variously placed with the pipefish or the stickleback lineage. While the placement in Syngnathiformes seems to be correct for the latter, the former is possibly an actinopterygian order of its own.Following the convention of the major fish classification organizations (Fish Base, ITIS, Encyclopedia of Life), Indostomidae is currently placed in the Gasterosteiformes.Morphological traits uniting the flying gurnards (Dactylopteridae) and the Syngnathiformes have long been noted. Most authors however placed them with the Scorpaeniformes. However, DNA sequence data quite consistently supports the view that the latter are paraphyletic with the Gasterosteiformes sensu lato. As it seems, flying gurnards are particularly close to Aulostomidae and Fistulariidae, and probably should be included with these.
No comments:
Post a Comment