Ray-finned fishes, or actinopterygians, represent a diverse and highly successful group of fishes that have evolved over millions of years. They first appeared in the late Silurian period, around 420 million years ago, and have since undergone significant evolutionary changes. Early ray-finned fishes were relatively simple, with basic fin structures and scales. However, through adaptive radiation, they diversified into a wide range of forms, sizes, and ecological niches. Today, ray-finned fishes comprise nearly 99% of all fish species, with over 30,000 known species. This group includes everything from tiny minnows to large predatory fish like tuna and swordfish. Their adaptability is evident in their wide range of habitats, from deep oceanic trenches to freshwater rivers and lakes. They exhibit an array of feeding strategies, reproductive methods, and specialized adaptations such as bioluminescence, electric generation, and complex social behaviors. Ray-finned fishes play crucial roles in aquatic ecosystems. They occupy various trophic levels, from primary consumers feeding on plankton to apex predators. Their presence influences the population dynamics of other marine and freshwater species, contributing to the overall health and stability of their environments. Economically, ray-finned fishes are of immense importance. They are a major source of food for humans, provide livelihoods for millions of people worldwide through fisheries and aquaculture, and are popular in the aquarium trade.
Compilation of these 4 videos :
Part one - • Prehistoric fishes
Part two - • Freshwater fishes and ...
Part three - • Abyssal fishes and rel...
Part four - • Marine fishes
Music by Carl Kasey : / @whitebataudio
Illustrations by Satoshi Kawasaki & Ceri Thomas
Icons next to names indicate diet :
🐟Fish - 🥩Meat - 🦀Aquatic arthropods - 🪱Small invertebrates - 🦐Plankton - 🦴Marine snow / Particules - 🦪Shelly mollusks - 🦑Cephalopods - 💮Corals - 🐚Ancient mollusks - 🐙Jellyfish - 🌱Seaweed - 🪲Terrestrial arthopods - 🦪Shelly mollusks - 💮Coral - 🌿Vegetation - 🐸Amphibians / Small reptiles - 🍇Fruits - 🔴Blood
16 июл 2024
