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Home Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Subphylum Vertebrata Class Actinopterygii Order Acipenseriformes Suborder Acipenseroidei Family Acipenseridae

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2008/05/11 01:22:12.679 GMT-4

By Tanya Dewey

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Acipenseriformes

Suborder: Acipenseroidei

Family: Acipenseridae

Members of this Family

There are 23 species of sturgeons, all found in the northern hemisphere. They are mostly found in large, freshwater lakes and rivers but some species also travel to the ocean and return to rivers and lakes to breed. Sturgeons can grow to be very large, up to 4.2 meters. Sturgeons have rows of large, bony scutes on their bodies. Their mouths are positioned ventrally and have 4 barbels. All sturgeon species have been extensively used by humans for their meat and their roe. As a result, all sturgeon species are either threatened or endangered.

Contributors

Tanya Dewey (author), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

2008/05/11 01:22:12.926 GMT-4

To cite this page: Dewey, T. 2006. "Acipenseridae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 16, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Acipenseridae.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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