Osteichthyes

Osteichthyes (IPA: ) are a taxonomic superclass of fish, also called bony fish that includes the ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) and lobe finned fish (Sarcopterygii). The split between these two classes occurred around 440 mya. The Osteichthyes are paraphyletic with land vertebrates, in some classification schemes the tetrapods et al are considered to be members of the Osteichthyes for this reason.

Most bony-fish belong to the Actinopterygii; there are only eight living species of lobe finned fish (Sarcopterygii) including the lungfish and coelacanths.(Some species of lobe-finned fish have jointed bones.)

The vast majority of fish are osteichthyes, and most of these are fit for human consumption. Osteichthyes are the most various group of vertebrates, consisting of over 29,000 species, making them the largest class of vertebrates in existence today.