Superorder Acanthopterygii is a taxonomic rank that refers to a diverse group of ray-finned fishes. The word is spelled as /suːpər ɔrdɛr əkænθoʊpˈtɛrɪdʒiː/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part, "superorder," is pronounced similarly to the English word "super" with an added "order" at the end. The second part, "acanthopterygii," is pronounced with "a-can-thop-ter-y-gii" using a combination of short and long vowel sounds, as well as voiced and unvoiced consonants. Proper spelling of scientific names is important for accurate identification and classification of species.
Superorder Acanthopterygii is a taxonomic group encompassing a diverse assemblage of ray-finned fishes characterized by their possession of spiny rayed fins. The term "superorder" denotes a higher taxonomic rank above the order level. This superorder is one of the two main subdivisions of the class Actinopterygii, the class that comprises nearly all modern bony fishes.
The defining characteristic of Superorder Acanthopterygii is its possession of sharp, rigid spines on their fin rays. These spines are erected for defensive purposes and can inflict painful injuries to potential predators. Superorder Acanthopterygii includes more than 20,000 species, representing over one-third of all known species of bony fishes. It encompasses various well-known fish families such as perch, wrasses, sunfishes, cichlids, basses, and gobies, among others.
These fishes exhibit a wide range of habitats and adaptations, filling ecological niches in both marine and freshwater environments across the world. They display a vast array of body shapes, feeding strategies, and reproductive behaviors. Some are adapted for powerful swimming and live in pelagic habitats, while others inhabit coral reefs, sandy bottoms, or freshwater rivers and lakes. The size of species in this superorder varies greatly, ranging from tiny gobies that measure only a few centimeters to large predatory fish, such as groupers or barracudas, that can reach several meters in length.
Overall, Superorder Acanthopterygii comprises an ecologically and morphologically diverse group of fishes that play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems and are of significant ecological, commercial, and cultural importance to humans.
The term "Superorder Acanthopterygii" has a scientific, taxonomic origin. It is derived from Greek and Latin roots.
- "Superorder" is derived from the Latin word "super", which means "above" or "beyond", and "ordo", meaning "order". In taxonomy, a superorder is a rank above an order and represents a higher classification level.
- "Acanthopterygii" is a compound word derived from Greek. "Acantho" comes from "akantha", meaning "thorn", and "pterygii" comes from "pteryx", meaning "wing" or "fin". Acanthopterygii refers to a group of fishes that have spiny fins or spines on their fins.