Cimolichthys

Cimolichthys is an extinct genus of 1.5- to 2.0-meter-long nektonic predatory aulopiformid fish.

Cimolichthys
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous[1]
Cimolichthys nepaholica specimen, Denver museum.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Aulopiformes

Rosen, 1973
Suborder:
Cimolichthyoidea
Family:
Cimolichthyidae[2]
Genus:
Cimolichthys

Leidy, 1857
Species
  • C. anceps Cope, 1872
  • C. nepaholica Cope, 1872
  • C. gladiolus Cope, 1872
  • C. levesiensis Leidy, 1857
  • C. semianceps Cope, 1872
  • C. sulcatus Cope, 1872

Description

Although the closest living relatives of Cimolichthys are lancetfish and lizardfish, the living animals would have resembled very large freshwater pikes. Their bodies were covered by large, heavy scutes. Typical of this species are narrow lower jaws with several series of teeth. Remains of undigested fishes or squids have been found in collected specimens. They lived in the Late Cretaceous period, from the Cenomanian age (99.6 ± 0.9 Mya and 93.5 ± 0.8 Mya) to the Maastrichtian age (70.6 ± 0.6 Mya to 66 Mya).[3]

Distribution

Fossils of Cimolichthys are found in Cretaceous strata of North America (Canada and United States) and Europe.

References
  1. Paleobiology Database
  2. Silva, Hilda, and Valéria Gallo. "Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of Enchodontoidei (Teleostei: Aulopiformes)." Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 83.2 (2011): 483-511.
  3. Cimolichthys nepaholica at Oceans of Kansas


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