What structural feature defines the Class Actinopterygii for C. daedalma?
Fins supported by bony spines or rays radiating from the body base
The Class Actinopterygii encompasses the ray-finned fishes, which constitute the vast majority of extant fish species. The defining characteristic that separates them evolutionarily and structurally from lobe-finned fishes is the composition of their fins. Specifically, the fins in Actinopterygii are supported internally by bony spines or rays that emanate outward from the attachment point on the body. This particular skeletal architecture grants these fish considerable structural flexibility and efficiency in their fins, allowing for precise maneuvering capabilities necessary for navigating complex aquatic environments like coral reefs, and directly influencing their swimming mechanics and metabolic demands.
