Beloniformes - Definition


Beloniformes - Definition

Beloniforms

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Beloniformes

Families

Suborder Adrianichthyoidei
- - Adrianichthyidae - Ricefishes
Suborder Belonoidei
- Superfamily Scomberesocoidea
  - Belonidae - Needlefishes
  - Scomberesocidae - Scauries
- Superfamily Exocoetoidea
  - Exocoetidae - Flyingfishes
  - Hemiramphidae - Halfbeaks

Beloniformes is an order of ray-finned fish most notable for the flyingfishes and medakas.

Originally, the two suborders Adrianichthyoidei and Belonoidei were part of the Cyprinidontiformes, but monophyly is indicated by various characteristics including the absence of the interhyal, resulting in the upper jaw being fixed or nonprotrusible.

Reference

J.S. Nelson, Fishes of the World

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