Order Summary for Ophidiiformes

  Main Ref
:
  Order
:
Ophidiiformes cusk eels
  Class
:
Teleostei
  Sister Order
:
Gadiformes 20 M years
  Ref.
:
  First Fossil Record
:
middle Tertiary
  Occurs in
:
Marine
Fresh
Brackish
  Remark
:
Pelvic fins when present, inserted at level of preopercle or farther anterior (mental or jugular), zero to two soft rays in each, and occasionally with a spine; base of dorsal and anal fins long, extending to and usually joined with caudal fin; nostrils paired on each side; dorsal and anal fin pterygiophores more numerous than adjacent vertebrae (the ratio being about 1.8:1).
  Class etymology
:
Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin. Ref. 45335.
  Order etymology
:
Greek, ophis = serpent + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335).
  Families
:

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]

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