Ostariophysi - Taxonomy

Taxonomy

Currently, this superorder is divided into two series, Anotophysi and Otophysi. However, in older literature, Ostariophysi was restricted only to the fish that are currently classified under Otophysi. Otophysi was coined in 1970 by Rosen and Greenwood to separate the traditional Ostariophysians from the added Gonorynchiformes.

The superorder is classified below:

• Series Anotophysi
  • Gonorynchiformes, about 37 species
• Series Otophysi (Euostariophysi)
  • Cypriniformes (minnows and allies), about 3,268 species (contains Cyprinidae, largest family of freshwater fishes)
  • Characiformes (characins and allies), at least 1,674 species
  • Siluriformes (catfishes), about 1,727 species
  • Gymnotiformes (electric eels, American knifefishes), at least 173 species (sometimes grouped under Siluriformes)

The monophyly of Ostariophysi has come into question with molecular evidence. Gonorynchiformes is more closely related to Clupeiformes than Otophysi. It is possible that the Gonorynchiformes and Clupeiformes form a monophyletic group. There is evidence for a sister group relationship between Ostariophysi and Clupeomorpha (the taxon Ostarioclupeomorpha, also known as Otocephala, was coined to describe this possibly monophyletic group).