The Scophthalmidae are a family of flatfish found in the North Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. Fish of this family are known commonly as turbots, though this name can refer specifically to Scophthalmus maximus, as well. Some common names found in species of this family are turbots, windowpanes, and brills. Cladistic analysis reveals that this family is a monophyletic group. Of all the scophthalmids, the largest species (Scophthalmus maximus) reaches approximately one meter in length. Some species in the family have been historically fished commercially (predominantly the brill flatfish and the turbot flatfish, S.rhombus and S. maximus respectively). Taxonomy The Scophthalmidae family is composed of two main clades, four genera, and eight species. The four genera are Zeugopterus, Lepidorhombus, Phrynorhombus, and Scophthalmus, all sharing synapomorphies yet also subtle distinctions. Discovery The first known fossil was dated to the Cenozoic era during the Miocene epoch. This specific fossil is believed to be from the upper Tertiary and is the oldest specimen of the family. Taxonomic history 1900: The features of the family were first recorded and compared with other taxa. The relationship between scophthalmids and other flatfish became apparent. 1910: This distinction was then further specified when scophthalmids were paired with other left-eyed species of flatfish. This subfamily is called Bothidae, and are unique in comparison to other fish in their sinistral nature. 1934: Again, taking a step further the fish are now categorized into a subfamily of Bothidae, and are named Scophthalmidae. To make said distinction, various species of similar traits were combined, primarily from the Paralichthyidae and Bothidae families of flatfish. These traits can be localized to three main requirements: “i) anterior extension of the two pelvic fins; ii) eyes present on the left-side; iii) presence of vomerine teeth.” 1993: After some confusion, it was concluded that the Scophthalmidae family is a sister clade to other subfamilies of flatfish (like the Paralichthyidae and the Bothidae) and need to be revisited. Chapleau, from The Interrelationships of Scophthalmid Fishes, redefined the subfamily’s traits to two more distinct features: “(i) anterior extension of the two pelvic fins; (ii) an elongated supraoccipital process in contact with the dorsal margin of the blind side frontal.” Again, these traits are also not perfect as defining a specific monophyly for any group is rather complex. 1998-1999: Both traits proposed in 1993 were confirmed synapomorphies of Scophthalmidae. In addition to these synapomorphies, a