Order Summary for Atheriniformes

  Main Ref
:
  Order
:
Atheriniformes silversides
  Class
:
Teleostei
  Sister Order
:
Beloniformes 45 M years
  Ref.
:
  First Fossil Record
:
early Tertiary
  Occurs in
:
Marine
Fresh
Brackish
  Remark
:
Usually two dorsal fins, the first, if present, with flexible spines; anal fin usually preceded by a spine; lateral line absent or very weak; branchiostegal rays 4-7; narial openings paired; pelvic fins abdominal, subadominal, or thoracic in position (essentially absent in female phallostethids and highly modified in male phallostethids); parietals usually present.
  Class etymology
:
Greek aktis = ray, thunderbolt, beam + Greek pterygion, diminutive of pteryx = wing, fin. Ref. 45335.
  Order etymology
:
Greek, atherine = a kind of smelt + Latin, forma = shape (Ref. 45335).
  Families
:

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948]                       
Glossary
                    [ e.g. cephalopods]

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