actinopterygian
/ˌaktɪˌnɒptəˈrɪdʒɪən/ /ˌaktɪnəʊtəˈrɪdʒɪən/Zoology and Palaeontology
adjective
Of or relating to the group Actinopterygii of bony fishes characterized by membranous fins supported by slender rays or spines.
- The group includes all extant bony fishes with the exception of coelacanths and lungfishes (sarcopterygians or lobe-finned fishes). It is now most often ranked as a class..
noun
A fish of the group Actinopterygii; a ray-finned fish.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Edward Cope (1840–1897). From actino- + -pterygian, after scientific Latin Actinopterygii.