Elopomorpha

Sternchenmuräne ( Echidna nebulosa )

The Elopomorpha are a group of genuine bony fish ( Teleostei ). You have as a common characteristic grazing leaf-shaped larvae form Leptocephaluslarven. The Leptocephaluslarven can be up to two meters long and larger than the later adult form in some species.

The monophyly of the group is not generally recognized. Some authors consider the Leptocephaluslarven for an original feature which can not be used to define a taxon. Meanwhile, there are various groups of scientists analyzes of rRNA, provide the argument for and against the monophyly of Elopomorpha. Further research is needed.

All Elopomorpha up to twenty species of eels ( family Anguillidae ) live in the sea.

System

The Elopomorpha include four orders, 24 families, 156 genera and about 850 species with the Tarpunartigen as basalster order:

Tarpunartige ( Elopiformes )

Bones Fishy ( Albuliformes )

Dornrückenaalartige ( Notacanthiformes )

Eel-shaped ( Anguilliformes )

The discussions at Nelson and Fishbase the rank of an order Pelikanaalartigen ( Saccopharyngoidei ) are phylogenetically well within the eel-like ( Anguilliformes ). In a recent revision of the Teleostei - hierarchy, they are therefore implemented as a subordination of the eel-like.