Spariformes is an order of ray-finned fishes consisting of 6 families within the series Percomorpha.
Spariformes | |
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Gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Clade: | Percomorpha |
Order: | Spariformes Bleeker, 1860 |
Families | |
See text |
Spariformes was first used as a taxonomic term in 1860 by the Dutch physician, herpetologist and ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker.[1] Traditionally the taxa within the Spariformes were classified within the Perciformes, with some authorities using the term "Sparoid lineage" for the families Centracanthidae, Nemipteridae, Lethrinidae and Sparidae.[2] Since then the use of molecular phylogenetics in more modern classifications has meant that the Spariformes is recognised as a valid order within the Percomorpha containing six families, with Callanthidae, Sillaginidae and Lobotidae included.[3] Other workers have found that the Centracanthidae is synonymous with Sparidae and that the Spariformes contains only the remaining three families of the "Sparoid lineage".[4] Studies have further suggested that the order Tetraodontiformes are the closest taxonomic grouping to the Spariformes.[5]
Spariformes contains the following six families, according to the 5th edition of Fishes of the World:[3][6]