Infradivision CLUPEOMORPHA
Primitive teleosts with a connection between the swimbladder and the ears in which the swimbladder is bifurcate
anteriorly to form two sacs contained within bony swellings
of the prootic and pterotic bones on each side of the skull;
this particular type of connection between the ears and the
swimbladder is unique among fishes (Greenwood et aI.,
1966). Clupeomorph fishes also have a unique caudal fin
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skeleton and some characteristic features of the cranium
(Greenwood et aI., 1966; Lauder & Liem, 1983). Pelvic fins
abdominal; pectoral fins low on body; no dorsal adipose fin;
no fin spines; scales cycloid; lateral line absent on body (except in Denticeps); no teeth on parasphenoid.
All of the recent (living) species are placed in a single
order, Clupeiformes.