The Fishes : Vertebrate Success in Water

Diversity of Fishes

Fishes are a grade , not a clade

tetrapods

Helfman et al. 1997

Jawless Fishes
Not a monophyletic group.

Helfman et al. 1997

Jawless Fishes
Not a monophyletic group.

Helfman et al. 1997

X X

Jawless Fishes

Minus hagfishes and lampreys =

Ostracoderms

Helfman et al. 1997

Jawless Fishes

Helfman et al. 1997

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Formerly classified with lampreys in Agnatha, or Cyclostomata-not a monophyletic group

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Formerly classified with lampreys in Agnatha, or Cyclostomata-not a monophyletic group X

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Formerly classified with lampreys in Agnatha, or Cyclostomata-not a monophyletic group Marine, cosmopolitan temperate distribution, ~40 species

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Formerly classified with lampreys in Agnatha, or Cyclostomata-not a monophyletic grouping Marine, cosmopolitan temperate distribution, 43 species Predators of small benthic invertebrates; scavenge on dead or dying fish, enter the body cavity and eat the dead organism from the inside out

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Knotting Behavior

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Oldest fossil is from the Carboniferous of Illinois (300 Ma)

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Myxini
No vertebrae

? All other vertebrates

Vertebrae

Hagfishes, Class Myxini, Order Myxiniformes

Myxini
No vertebrae One semicircular canal No mineralized tissues Isomolar with seawater No lateral line Three accessory hearts No stomach

Other fishes/vertebrates
Vertebrae 2-3 semicircular canals

Mineralized tissues
Hypotonic to seawater Lateral line No accessory hearts Stomach Cranium of cartilage or bone

Fibrous cranium support

Jawless Fishes

Helfman et al. 1997

Pteraspidomorphi
Among the earliest vertebrates in the fossil record

Extend from the Ordovician to the Devonian (470-370 Ma)

Pteraspidomorphi
Extensive dermal armor covering the head, scales posteriorly Only median fins, no paired fins Single gill opening Mainly marine, near bottom, filter feeders

Pteraspidomorphi

Sacabambaspis janvieri Ordovician of Bolivia

Cephalaspidomorphi
Extend from the Silurian to the Devonian (420-360 Ma)

Cephalaspidomorphi
Ostracoderms

Large head shield with acusticolateralis, and possibly electroreceptive function

Carroll 1988

Cephalaspidomorphi: Lampreys
Extend from the Silurian to the Present (420-360 Ma) X

Plus Lampreys

Ostracoderms

Jawless Fishes

Helfman et al. 1997

Jawless Fishes

Helfman et al. 1997

Lampreys, Class Cephalaspidomorphi, Order Petromyzontiformes

Lampreys
(Ammocoete)

Parasitic (18 species) Die after spawning

Non-parasitic (23 species)

Lampreys, Class Cephalaspidomorphi, Order Petromyzontiformes

Ichthyomyzon castaneus parasitic TL 34.5 cm

Ichthyomyzon gagei non-parasitic TL 16.6 cm

Lampreys, Class Cephalaspidomorphi, Order Petromyzontiformes

Either parasitic or non-parasitic Closely related speciessatellite species hypothesis

Lampreys, Class Cephalaspidomorphi, Order Petromyzontiformes

Either parasitic or non-parasitic, both in same species or closely related species--satellite species hypothesis Anadromous or freshwater, N. Amer., Eur., Aust., N.Z., 41 species, 32 entirely freshwater, 18 parasitic

Adults die after spawning

Ammocoete = larva: free living, blind, filter feeding

Non-parasitic adults do not feed, live for six months and spawn
Parasitic species will feed and live for 1 to 3 years

Jawless Fishes

Helfman et al. 1997

GNATHOSTOMATA

THE JAWED VERTEBRATES!

Gnathostomata

Helfman et al. 1997

SYNAPOMORPHY A shared derived character

Helfman et al. 1997

SYNAPOMORPHY A shared derived character

A monophyletic group if ??

Helfman et al. 1997

SYNAPOMORPHY A shared derived character

A monophyletic group - if it includes the tetrapods.

Helfman et al. 1997

Evolution of Jaws
First two or three anterior gill arches lost

Evolution of Jaws
First two or three anterior gill arches lost Another arch moved forward and became the upper and lower jaws

Evolution of Jaws
Gill arches expand with loss of first two or three anterior arches

An arch moved forward and became the upper and lower jaws
Next arch became hyomandibular providing support for jaws

Why Jaws?
Allow increased feeding efficiency

Why Jaws?
Allow increased feeding efficiency Improved respiratory efficiency, closing jaws prevents backflow when water is passed over the gills

Why Jaws?
Facilitate prey handling and allow suction feeding Rapid opening of the mouth to create water currents that sweep in prey or other food items

Why Jaws?
Facilitate prey handling and allow suction feeding

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

Three semicircular canals

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

Three semicircular canals

Limb girdles, internal skeletal support for pectoral and pelvic fins

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

Three semicircular canals

Limb girdles, internal skeletal support for pectoral and pelvic fins Sperm ducts are linked to the urinary system

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

Three semicircular canals

Limb girdles, internal skeletal support for pectoral and pelvic fins Sperm ducts are linked to the urinary system

Myelinated nerves

GNATHOSTOMATA
Paired fins

Three semicircular canals

Limb girdles, internal skeletal support for pectoral and pelvic fins Sperm ducts are linked to the urinary system

Myelinated nerves
Brain with a large distinct cerebellum

Class Placodermi

Most basal group

Class Placodermi

Most basal lineage of gnathostomes

Class Placodermi

Most basal lineage of gnathostomes

Devonian (410-360 Ma)

Class Placodermi

Most basal lineage of gnathostomes

Devonian (410-360 Ma), Age of Fishes Despite short period in fossil record high diversity of species and lineages (Nine orders, 30 families, 50 genera)

Class Placodermi Plate-skinned bony plates covered much of the body

Class Placodermi Ecologically diverse

Pelagic piscivores Benthic herbivores