jan 1, 420000000 BC - Actinopterygii / Ray-Finned Fish

Description:

Actinopterygii /ˌæktɪnɒptəˈrɪdʒiaɪ/ (New Latin actino- ('having rays') + Greek πτέρυξ (ptérux 'wing, fins')), members of which are known as ray-finned fishes, is a clade (traditionally class or subclass) of the bony fishes. The ray-finned fishes are so-called because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines (rays), as opposed to the fleshy, lobed fins that characterize the class Sarcopterygii (lobe-finned fish). These actinopterygian fin rays attach directly to the proximal or basal skeletal elements, the radials, which represent the link or connection between these fins and the internal skeleton (e.g., pelvic and pectoral girdles). By species count, actinopterygians dominate the vertebrates, and they comprise nearly 99% of the over 30,000 species of fish. They are ubiquitous throughout freshwater and marine environments from the deep sea to the highest mountain streams. Extant species can range in size from Paedocypris, at 8 mm (0.3 in), to the massive ocean sunfish, at 2,300 kg (5,070 lb), and the long-bodied oarfish, at 11 m (36 ft). The vast majority of Actinopterygii (~95%) are teleosts.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: