Editing Cypriniformes (section)

===Evolution===
Cypriniformes include the most primitive of the Ostariophysi in the narrow sense (i.e. excluding the [[Gonorynchiformes]]). This is evidenced not only by physiological details, but also by their great distribution, which indicates they had the longest time to spread. The earliest that Cypriniformes might have diverged from [[Characiphysi]] ([[Characiformes]] and relatives) is thought to be about the [[Early Triassic]], about 250 million years ago ([[mya (unit)|mya]]).<ref>Saitoh ''et al.'' (2003)</ref> However, their divergence probably occurred only with the splitting-up of [[Pangaea]] in the [[Jurassic]], maybe 160 million years ago (Mya). By 110 Mya, the [[plate tectonics]] evidence indicates that the [[Laurasia]]n Cypriniformes must have been distinct from their [[Gondwana]]n relatives.<ref>Briggs (2005), Nelson (2006)</ref>

The Cypriniformes are thought to have originated in [[South-east Asia]], where the most diversity of this group is found today. The alternative hypothesis is that they began in [[South America]], similar to the other [[Otophysi|otophysans]]. If this were the case, they would have spread to Asia through Africa or North America before the continents split up, for these are purely freshwater fishes. As the Characiformes began to diversify and spread, they may have outcompeted South American basal cypriniforms in Africa, where more advanced cypriniforms survive and coexist with characiforms.<ref name=briggs>Briggs (2005)</ref>

Until 2025, no cypriniform fossil remains were known predating the [[Cenozoic]]. In 2025, multiple fossil remains of an indeterminate cypriniform, including jaws, tooth plates, and vertebrae, were identified from the early [[Maastrichtian]]-aged (71-69 Mya) [[Prince Creek Formation]] of Alaska. This occurrence suggests that in contrast to previous hypotheses, cypriniforms may have originated in high-latitude regions and radiated southwards during the Cenozoic.<ref name="Brinkman2025">{{Cite journal |last=Brinkman |first=Donald B. |last2=López |first2=J. Andrés |last3=Erickson |first3=Gregory M. |last4=Eberle |first4=Jaelyn J. |last5=Muñoz |first5=Xochitl |last6=Wilson |first6=Lauren N. |last7=Perry |first7=Zackary R. |last8=Murray |first8=Alison M. |last9=Van Loon |first9=Lisa |last10=Banerjee |first10=Neil R. |last11=Druckenmiller |first11=Patrick S. |date=2025 |title=Fishes from the Upper Cretaceous Prince Creek Formation, North Slope of Alaska, and their palaeobiogeographical significance |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/spp2.70014 |journal=Papers in Palaeontology |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=e70014 |doi=10.1002/spp2.70014 |issn=2056-2802}}</ref> The next-oldest cypriniform fossils are already assignable to the living [[family (biology)|family]] Catostomidae; from the [[Paleocene]]-aged [[Paskapoo Formation]] of [[Alberta]], they are roughly 60 million years old. During the [[Eocene]] (55–35 Mya), catostomids and cyprinids spread throughout Asia; the earliest members of the cyprinid subfamilies [[Barbinae]] and [[Danionin|Danioninae]] are known from the Eocene [[Sangkarewang Formation]] of [[Indonesia]], in addition to possibly [[Smilogastrinae]] and [[Labeoninae]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Murray |first=Alison M. |date=2020-01-02 |title=Early Cenozoic Cyprinoids (Ostariophysi: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae and Danionidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2020.1762627 |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |language=en |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=e1762627 |doi=10.1080/02724634.2020.1762627 |bibcode=2020JVPal..40E2627M |issn=0272-4634}}</ref> The extinct family [[Jianghanichthyidae]] is known from the Eocene of China.<ref name=":1" /> In the [[Oligocene]], around 30 Mya, advanced cyprinids began to outcompete catostomids wherever they were [[Sympatry|sympatric]], causing a decline of the suckers. Cyprinids reached North America and Europe about the same time, and Africa in the early [[Miocene]] (some 23–20 Mya). The cypriniforms spread to North America through the [[Beringia|Bering land bridge]], which formed and disappeared again several times during the many millions of years of cypriniform [[evolution]].<ref name=briggs/>