1. Pleuronectiformes! By: Steve Mussmann and Christine Knight

2. Where it’s at… Monophyletic group 11 families

3. Pleuronectiformes Bilaterally symmetrical as larvae Eye migrates and asymmetrical as adult Adults lack swim bladder Mostly marine… only a few freshwater species Compressed body Benthic fishes Eat benthic invertebrates and fish

4. All the families… 11 families Achiridae- American Soles Achiropsettidae- Southern Flounders Bothidae- Lefteye Flounders Citharidae- Citharids Cynoglossidae- Tonguefishes Paralichthyidae- Large Tooth Flounders Pleuronectidae- Righteye Flounders Psettodidae- Psettodids Samaridae- Crested Flounders Scophthalmidae- Turbots Soleidae- Soles

5. Achiridae- American Soles 33 species Eyed-side lower lip has fleshy rim Occur in fresh, brackish, and marine habitats

6. Achiropsettidae- Southern Flounders 6 species Only marine habitats Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic waters Eyes on left side Pectoral fins tiny or absent

7. Bothidae- Lefteye Flounders 162 species Only marine Temperate and tropical---Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans Eyes on left No spines in fins Anus on blind side

8. Citharidae- Citharids 7 species Only marine Mediterranean, Indian, and Japan to Australia Eyes either side Short pelvic fins Anus on eyed side

9. Cynoglossidae- Tonguefishes 140 species Fresh, brackish, and marine habitats Tropical and sub- tropical Eyes small and on left side Asymmetrical mouth No pectoral fins Commercially important

10. Paralichthyidae- Large-tooth Flounders 116 species Fresh, brackish, and marine habitats Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans Eyes on left side No spines in pelvic and pectoral fins

11. Pleuronectidae- Righteye Flounders 102 species Fresh, brackish and marine habitats--- mostly marine Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans Eyes on right side Camouflage Fins have no spines Commercially important http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty9f5_pxMas

12. Psettodidae- Psettodids 3 species Marine only Most primitive  Few vertebrae  Swim upright Eyes on either side

13. Samaridae- Crested Flounders 21 species Marine only Indo-pacific--- tropical and sub- tropical waters Deep waters Postcleithrum absent

14. Scophthalmidae- Turbots 9 species Brackish and marine waters North Atlantic, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black seas Eyes on left side Large mouth--- prominent jaw

15. Soleidae- Soles 163 species Fresh, brackish, and marine habitats Europe to Australia and Japan Eyes on right side No fin spines Commercially important

16. Evolution of Asymmetry Born with eyes on both sides of head Gradually migrates so eyes on same side of head Adults are asymmetrical http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldN-lbyqsE

17. Matt Friedman 2008 Evolution of asymmetry gradual or in one large jump? Discovered transitional fossil that has asymmetrical skull eyes on both sides of the head!

18. Find the Flounder?! Chromatophore  Pigment containing  Light reflecting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAZSg2tqe7k

19. Experiment! Winter Flounder

20. Conservation… IUCN lists Atlantic Halibut as endangered and the Yellowtail Flounder as vulnerable Overfishing Late age of sexual maturity Looking for alternative species to fish

21. Review Questions! Name three traits shared by the Pleuronectiformes. What is unique about the Southern Flounders? In what family is camouflage most common? What are the advantages of camouflage for Pleuronectiformes? Make an argument for the gradual evolution of asymmetry in Pleuronectiformes. Describe the development of a flatfish. What are some reasons for the endangered status of the Atlantic Halibut?