Spariformes was first used as a taxonomic term in 1860 by the Dutch
physician,
herpetologist and
ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker. Traditionally the taxa within the Spariformes were classified within the
Perciformes, with some authorities using the term "Sparoid lineage" for the families
Centracanthidae, Nemipteridae, Lethrinidae and Sparidae. Since then the use of
molecular phylogenetics in more modern classifications has meant that the Spariformes is recognised as a valid order within the Percomorpha containing six families, with Callanthidae, Sillaginidae and Lobotidae included. Studies have further suggested that the order
Tetraodontiformes are the closest taxonomic grouping to the Spariformes. ==Families==