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Ray-finned Fish

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(16 total)

Sciaenidae
Sciaenidae
© 2005 George E. Phillips, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

Lepisosteus
Lepisosteus
© 2001 UCMP

Mioplosus labracoides
Mioplosus labracoides
© 1998 UCMP

What are Ray-finned Fish? Ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) are the dominant aquatic vertebrates today. They illustrate great diversity in their morphology and habitats, living in shallow to deep and freshwater to marine habitats. Their name comes from the presence of “rays,” fine bony or horny spines that support the webbing of their fins. Trout, salmon, bass, and tuna are typical modern ray-finned fish.

First known fossil occurrence: Devonian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

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See Ray-finned Fish from the:

Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian
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