Atlantogenata

Atlantogenata is a proposed clade of teleost fish that encompasses all ray-finned fishes except for the Holostei. This group includes a vast majority of extant fish species, making it one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates. The name Atlantogenata is derived from the mythical lost continent of Atlantis and the Greek word "genata," meaning "born." This nomenclature reflects the ancient evolutionary origins of this lineage.

The primary characteristic used to define Atlantogenata is a specific arrangement of bones in the skull, particularly in the jaw and palate regions. These skeletal features are considered synapomorphies, or shared derived traits, that unite the diverse fish within this group. Atlantogenata includes orders such as the Anguilliformes (eels), Clupeiformes (herrings and sardines), Salmoniformes (salmon and trout), Cypriniformes (carps and minnows), Gadiformes (cods), Perciformes (perches and their relatives, the largest order of fish), and Pleuronectiformes (flatfishes), among many others.

The evolutionary divergence of Atlantogenata from other bony fishes occurred early in the Mesozoic Era. Their widespread distribution and remarkable adaptive radiation have led to their presence in nearly every aquatic environment on Earth, from freshwater rivers and lakes to the deepest oceanic trenches. Ongoing research continues to refine the phylogenetic relationships within Atlantogenata, utilizing both morphological and molecular data to better understand the evolutionary history and diversification of this enormous fish clade.