Hemicalypterus

Hemicalypterus is an extinct genus of prehistoric ray-finned fish that lived during the late Triassic period (approx. 221.4 to 205.6 Ma). It contains a single species, Hemicalypterus weiri. Fossils have been collected in the southwestern United States, including Utah and New Mexico.[1] Hemicalypterus belonged to the family Dapediidae, and like other members of its family, it was a deep-bodied fish with a covering of thick ganoid scales. It differed from other dapediids in lacking scales on the posterior part of the body, and in possessing unusual, multicuspid teeth. These teeth were similar to those of modern-day herbivorous fish, which indicates that Hemicalypterus may have been a herbivore as well.[2]

Hemicalypterus
Temporal range: Late Triassic,
~
Skeletal reconstruction
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Dapediiformes
Family: Dapediidae
Genus: Hemicalypterus
Schaeffer, 1967
Species:
H. weiri
Binomial name
Hemicalypterus weiri
Schaeffer, 1967

See also

References


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