Sturgeons, Gar-pikes & Bowfin

Abstract

The third subclass of osteichthyans are the ray-finned fishes, or Actinopterygii, which, like the Crossopterygii, date back to the Devonian period. This is an immensely successful group and such is its diversity that classification poses problems. The scheme adopted here represents, with very minor modifications, some of the more recent attempts to clarify actinopterygian relationships, although it is certainly not the final statement, and much taxonomic work remains to be done.