Nelson, J.S., 2006

Mugiliformes mullets

Teleostei

Atheriniformes 45 M years

 | 

middle Tertiary

Marien

Zoet water

Brak water

Distribution: All tropical and temperate seas. Chiefly marine (coastal) and brackish water; some in freshwater (Liza abu only in fresh and estuaries). Short description: Spinous (4 spines) and soft dorsal fins widely separated. Pelvic fins subabdominal; 1 spine, 5 soft rays. Lateral line hardly visible when present. Mouth of moderate size. Toothless or teeth small. Long gill rakers. Muscular stomach; extremely long intestine. Vertebrae 24-26. Maximum length about 90 cm. Travel in schools and feed on fine algae, diatoms, and detritus of bottom sediments. Important food fishes. Taxonomy: Mugiliformes have been considered as a separate order like here, or as a Perciformes suborder, and most part of the time close to Atherinidae(formes). They are either considered at the base of Acanthopterygii or Percomorpha. The consensus is to consider that they are close to Atherinids, Gasterosteids, Synbranchids, Elassomatids in an unresolved polychotomy. See FoW (Nelson, 2006; Ref. 58010) for more details.

Latin, mugil, -ilis = grey mullet

( n = 1 )
Mugilidae

Ref.
[ e.g. 9948 ]      

Glossary
      [ e.g. oophagy ]