Order BELONIFORMES

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Introduction

As recognised here, this worldwide order includes five families of freshwater and marine species. The classification here follows Nelson (2006), based on Rosen & Parenti (1981), Parin & Astakhov (1982) and Collette et al. (1984). Lovejoy et al. (2004) investigated the evolution of jaws in beloniform fishes and recognised the family Zenarchopteridae, distinct from the Hemiramphidae. That classification was followed by Nelson et al. (2016). Parenti (2005) reviewed relationships within the order and Parenti (2008) updated the synapomorphies for the order.

With the exception of the Adrianichthyidae, which is found from Asia through Indonesia to Japan, but not Australia, beloniforms are streamlined, medium-sized pelagic fishes that feed near the surface on algae, zooplankton and small fishes.

General References

Collette, B.B., McGowen, G.E., Parin, N.V. & Mito, S. 1984. Beloniformes: development and relationships. pp. 335-354 figs 172-185 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Lovejoy, N.R., Iranpour, M. & Collette, B.B. 2004. Phylogeny and jaw ontogeny of beloniform fishes. Integrative and Comparative Biology 44(5): 366–377

Nelson, J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 601 pp.

Nelson, J.S., Grande, T.C. & Wilson, M.V.H. 2016. Fishes of the World. Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons 5, 752 pp.

Parenti, L.R. 2005. The phylogeny of atherinomorphs: evolution of a novel fi sh reproductive system. pp. 13-30 in Uribe, M.C. & Grier, H.J. (eds). Viviparous fishes. Homstead, Florida : New Life Publications 603pp.

Parenti, L.R. 2008. A phylogenetic analysis and taxonomic revision of ricefi shes, Oryzias and relatives (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 154: 494-610

Parin, N.V & Astakhov, D.A. 1982. Studies on the acoustico-lateralis system of beloniform fishes in connection with their systematics. Copeia 1982(2): 276-291

Rosen, D.E. & Parenti, L.R. 1981. Relationships of Oryzias, and the groups of atherinomorph fishes. American Museum Novitates 2719: 1-25

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