ABSTRACT
The taxonomic history among nominal gonorynchiform taxa is complex. Until recently, most gonorynchiform taxa were aligned with nongonorynchiform groups, many of which have no close relationship to the order in its present form. Because of this complexity, researchers working on the group, especially those investigating species-level questions, have spent countless hours tracking down type specimens and trying to sort out nomenclatorial problems. The goal of this chapter, therefore, is to provide a current list of all nominal (fossil and Recent) gonorynchiform taxa along with synonomies, and the location and catalogue numbers of type material. The arrangement of taxa reflects the phylogenetic organization presented in this volume. Three families are recognized: Chanidae, Gonorynchidae and Kneriidae. The genus Phractolaemus, unlike in the more traditional classifications, is contained within the Kneriidae. Within each gonorynchiform family, all nominal genera and species are listed with synonomies.
