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Actinopteri

Eukaryota > Metazoa > Chordata > Craniata > Vertebrata > Euteleostomi > Actinopterygii > Actinopteri
Actinopteri are related to sturgeon. Dating back to the Permian period, the Actinopteri are comprised of the Chondrostei (sturgeons and paddlefishes) and the Neopterygi (bowfin, gars, and teleosts). Modern actinopterygians generally feed using a suction mechanism, with the mouth parts forming a tube. Prey are drawn in, and then masticated for consumption. The Actinopterygii are the "ray-finned" fishes. The Actinopter group consists of the descendants of the most recent common ancestor of the sturgeons and teleoststains, and includes: