clade. Being a scientific family, it also has its own set of general traits, as well as a variety of derived traits specific to the different genera of Scophthalmidae. These various features can be distinguished at every level of the scientific hierarchy to best emphasize the differences between the taxon. Being part of the Scophthalmidae family, all scophthalmids share the same fundamental Actinopterygii and pleuronectiformes traits. Actinopterygii traits Actinopterygii, or ray-finned fish, share traits will all prior marine vertebrates (i.e. a skeleton, paired fins, cycloid or ctenoid scales, covered gills, homocercal tails, protrusible jaws, etc...) The main requirements for the taxa are fin-rays (of which make up the fins and are responsible the name of the clade) and a swim bladder (a derived trait of this phylogenetic group). All genera of Scophthalmidae are Actinopterygii, and as such share this primary features. Pleuronectiformes traits Pleuronectiformes (flatfish) share a lot in common with some minor distinctions. Based on the name, it is right to assume that most of genera of pleuronectiformes are 'flat' and have a generally 'low' body profile. Due to this anatomical difference, flatfish are quite unique and have asymmetrical features. In adult individuals, both eyes lye on the same side of the head on whichever side is dominant (Scophthalmidae are left-eyed flatfish). Furthermore, flatfish have protrusible eyes and have slowly translated their dorsal fin (over the course of evolutionary history) onto the head. Poking eyes out of the substrate and using this dorsal fin akin to a rudder, these three traits all serve the flatfish in its benthic lifestyle. Lastly, the generalized coloration of flatfish include a very pale underside with a cryptically pigmented dorsal side. This pigmentation serves as a camouflage for the fish and allows them to increase their survivorship via heightened predator avoidance and improved hunting behaviors. Scophthalmidae traits The three primary synapomorphies within the Scophthalmidae family (mentioned previously under Taxonomic History) have been crucial in defining the clade. Proposed in Interrelationships of Scophthalmid Fishes, the three aforementioned synapomorphies along with two other niche traits help differentiate scophthalmids from the other flatfish. These five anatomical traits are as follows: (i) "The anterior extension of the two pelvic fins to the isthmus" (ii) "Slightly asymmetric lateral expansions on both pelvic bones" (iii) "An elongated anterior supraoccipital process (often crenulated) in contact with the dorsal margin of the right (blind-side) frontal" (iv) "The presence of asymmetrical transverse apophyses