Fish are the most successful group of vertebrates. These animals evolved from chordate ancestors approximately 500 million years ago. From their humble beginnings as jawless bottom feeders, fish acquired a variety of adaptations and radiated into new marine and freshwater environments. These ancestral fish gave rise to all living vertebrates. Today, fish display a staggering amount of morphological diversity and are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats.

Considering their success, it's not suprising that fish play important roles in aquatic ecosystems. In addition, fish provide humans with a valuable resource which supports many local economies. To learn more about fish and their importance, explore the links below.

Intro to Fish Fish Ecology Aquaculture
Introduction to Fish Fish Ecology Aquaculture in Canada
Biodiversity by Region  Weird and Wacky Fishes  Fisheries in Canada
Biodiversity Funky Fish Fisheries in Canada

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