What are the two suborders of the order Pleuronectiformes?

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The order Pleuronectiformes, which comprises flatfishes, is divided into the following two suborders:1

  • Psettodoidei: These are considered the least-specialized or most primitive flatfishes. They possess spines in their dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins, and their dorsal fin does not extend onto the head.1
  • Pleuronectoidei: This suborder is characterized by the absence of spines in the fins (with the exception of one spine in the pelvic fin of the family Citharidae) and a dorsal fin that extends forward onto the head.1