Piiriformes

Piiriformes is an order of ray-finned fish that includes the sawfishes and the sawsharks. The order is characterized by its unique, saw-like teeth, which are modified into a continuous, serrated edge along the upper jaw. This adaptation is believed to have evolved independently in sawfishes and sawsharks, and is thought to be used for capturing prey or defending against predators.

The order Piiriformes is divided into two families: Pristidae, which includes the sawfishes, and Pristiophoridae, which includes the sawsharks. Sawfishes are found in freshwater and brackish waters, while sawsharks are found in marine environments. Both families are known for their distinctive appearance and unique adaptations.

Sawfishes are large, filter-feeding fish that use their saw-like teeth to strain plankton from the water. They have a flattened, disk-shaped body and a long, saw-like snout. Sawsharks, on the other hand, are smaller and more active predators. They have a streamlined body and a long, saw-like snout, which they use to capture prey.

Piiriformes is a relatively small order of fish, with only a few species in each family. However, they are of significant ecological and economic importance. Sawfishes, for example, are an important food source for many species of birds and mammals. Sawsharks are also an important food source, and their fins are used in traditional medicine in some cultures. Despite their importance, many species of sawfishes and sawsharks are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique and important fish.