Ray-finned fish, the most diverse group of vertebrates, characterized by fins supported by bony rays rather than fleshy lobes. This group includes most familiar fish species from goldfish to tuna.
From Greek 'aktinos' meaning 'ray' and 'pterygion' meaning 'fin,' literally 'ray-finned.' The term was coined in the 19th century to distinguish these fish from lobe-finned fish based on their fin structure.
Ray-finned fish are the ultimate success story of vertebrate evolution - they've conquered every aquatic habitat from mountain streams to deep ocean trenches! Their ray-supported fins work like adjustable sails, giving them incredible maneuverability that lobe-finned fish can't match.
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