Ateleopiformes

Ateleopiformes is a group of ray-finned fish that includes the coelacanths and lungfish. The name Ateleopiformes comes from the Greek words "ateleos," meaning imperfect, and "opismos," meaning tail, referring to the lack of a true tail fin in some members of the group. This order is characterized by their unique body structure, with a long, slender body and a large, fleshy fin that extends from the base of the tail. The Ateleopiformes are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor with the lobe-finned fish, which includes the modern lungfish. The group is further divided into two suborders: Coelacanthiformes, which includes the coelacanths, and Dipnomorpha, which includes the lungfish. The Ateleopiformes are an important group of fish for understanding the evolution of vertebrates, as they represent a transitional form between the lobe-finned fish and the ray-finned fish.