Suborder PERCOIDEI

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Introduction

Nelson (1994) recognised 71 families and over 2,800 species in the suborder Percoidei. Nelson (2006), however, included 79 families and about 3,176 species. The family classification here largely follows Nelson (2006), but differs for some families. A total of 68 families are recognised from Australia. Major differences are noted under the appropriate families. The classification is provisional and likely to change in the future. Johnson (1984) discussed relationships. Wiley & Johnson (2010) have argued that the Perciformes is not a monophyletic unit and have proposed a new classification, elevating many of the suborders to orders, but with many groups having unknown relationships. We retain the existing classification here, but expect that classification will change considerably over the next few years.

General References

Johnson, G.D. 1984. Percoidei: development and relationships. pp. 464-498 figs 254-264 in Moser, H.G. et al. (eds). Ontogeny and Systematics of Fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Special Publication 1: 1-760

Nelson, J.S. 1994. Fishes of the World. New York : John Wiley & Sons 600 pp.

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

Wiley, E.O. & Johnson, G.D. 2010. A teleost classification based on monophyletic groups. pp. 123-182 in Nelson, J.S., Schultze, H.-P. & Wilson, M.V.H. Origin and Phylogenetic Interrelationships of Teleosts. München, Germany : Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil 480 pp.

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