Ophidiiformes
Order of ray-finned fish
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Through Parasitism, Italy and Pelagic zone
The earliest fossil members are known from the Maastrichtian, and include the basal ophidiiform Pastorius from Italy and several species of the basal cusk-eel Ampheristus from the United States and Germany.
Distribution
This order includes a variety of deep-sea species, including the deepest known, Abyssobrotula galatheae, found at 8,370 metres (27,460 ft) in the Puerto Rico Trench. Many other species, however, live in shallow water, especially near coral reefs, while a few inhabit freshwater. Most species live in tropical or subtropical habitats, but some species are known from as far north as the coast of Greenland, and as far south as the Weddell Sea.
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Characteristics
Ophidiiform fish typically have slender bodies with small heads, and either smooth scales, or none at all. They have long dorsal fins, and an anal fin that is typically united with the caudal fin. The group includes pelagic, benthic, and even parasitic species, although all have a similar body form. Some species are viviparous, giving birth to live young, rather than laying eggs. They range in size from Grammanoides opisthodon which measures just 5 centimetres (2.0 in) in length, to Lamprogrammus shcherbachevi at 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length.
The families Ranicipitidae (tadpole cods) and Euclichthyidae (eucla cods) were formerly classified in this order, but are now preferred in Gadiformes; Ranicipitidae has been absorbed within the family Gadidae.
Classification
The order Ophidiiformes is subdivided into suborders and families as follows:
- Order Ophidiiformes
- Genus †Pastorius (Late Cretaceous of Italy)
- Suborder Ophidioidei
- Family Acanthonidae Wong & Chen, 2024 (deepsea cusk-eels)
- Family Brotulidae Swainson, 1838 (bearded cusk-eels)
- Family Ophidiidae Rafinesque, 1810 (cusk-eels)
- Family Carapidae Poey, 1867 (pearlfishes)
- Suborder Bythitoidei
- Family Bythitidae Gill, 1861 — viviparous brotulas
- Family Parabrotulidae Nielsen, 1968 — false brotulas
Until recent taxonomic revisions, the suborder Ophidioidei was a paraphyletic grouping. However, the Bythitoidei are viviparous and seem to make up a monophyletic group, while the Ophidioidei are oviparous.