Superorder Otocephala – herrings, minnows, catfishes
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Otocephala. O,T,O,C,E,P,H,A,L,A.
Taxonomic Rank: Superorder
Key Characteristics: Weberian apparatus (modified vertebrae linking swim bladder to inner ear), schooling behavior, specialized pharyngeal jaws
Biological Context: Major clade of freshwater and marine fishes. Enhanced hearing and social behavior support ecological dominance in plankton-rich environments. Includes many economically and ecologically important species.
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Orders and Families within Otocephala
Order Clupeiformes – herrings and anchovies
Clupeiformes. C,L,U,P,E,I,F,O,R,M,E,S.
Key Characteristics: Silvery scales, compressed body, filter-feeding gill rakers Biological Context: Includes pelagic schooling fishes. Key forage species in marine food webs.
Family Clupeidae – herrings
Clupeidae. C,L,U,P,E,I,D,A,E .
Key Characteristics: Forked tail, keeled belly, large eyes Biological Context: Dominant in coastal and estuarine systems. Important in commercial fisheries.
Family Engraulidae – anchovies
Engraulidae. E,N,G,R,A,U,L,I,D,A,E .
Key Characteristics: Long snout, small body, filter-feeding Biological Context: Abundant in tropical and temperate waters. Vital prey for larger predators.
Order Gonorynchiformes – milkfish and relatives
Gonorynchiformes. G,O,N,O,R,Y,N,C,H,I,F,O,R,M,E,S.
Key Characteristics: Reduced Weberian apparatus, benthic feeding Biological Context: Transitional group between basal otocephalans and cypriniforms.
Order Cypriniformes – minnows, carps, loaches
Cypriniformes. C,Y,P,R,I,N,I,F,O,R,M,E,S .
Key Characteristics: Pharyngeal teeth, lack of jaw teeth, diverse body forms Biological Context: Largest freshwater fish order. Includes species adapted to nearly every freshwater habitat.
Family Cyprinidae – minnows and carps
Cyprinidae. C,Y,P,R,I,N,I,D,A,E.
Key Characteristics: Scaleless head, single dorsal fin, pharyngeal teeth Biological Context: Includes goldfish, carp, and shiners. Important in aquaculture, ecology, and research.
Order Siluriformes – catfishes
Siluriformes. S,I,L,U,R,I,F,O,R,M,E,S.
Key Characteristics: Barbels, scaleless body, adipose fin Biological Context: Found worldwide in freshwater and some marine systems. Many are benthic and nocturnal.
Order Gymnotiformes – knifefishes
Gymnotiformes. G,Y,M,N,O,T,I,F,O,R,M,E,S.
Key Characteristics: Electric organs, long anal fin, no dorsal or caudal fin Biological Context: South American freshwater fishes. Use weak electric fields for navigation and communication.