Thiollierepycnodus

The original specimens of Thiollierepycnodus were discorvered in Cerin, France, and, in 2014, new fossils of the genus were uncovered in Wattendorf, Germany. The fossil was originally described as Pycnodus wagneri by Victor Joseph de l’Isle Thiollière in 1852. The name of the species, P. wagneri, was in reference to Dr Johannes Andreas Wagner, a professor of zoology who lectured at the university in Munich.[1]

In 1856, Heckel transferred the species to Microdon, a genus that turned out to be invalid, and was replace by Proscinetes.[2] In 1949, Saint-Seine referred to the species as Gyrodus, but though it didn't belong to that genus. In, 2002, Poyato-Ariza and Wenz referred to it as Proscinetes? wagneri. Martin Ebert, in 2020, erected the genus Thiollierepycnodus to replace P. wagneri.[1]

The name Thiollierepycnodus is in refers to Thiollère, with the suffix "pycnodus" in reference to the genus it was originally assigned.[1]

Thiollierepycnodus had a total length of 25 cm, with a laterally compressed body and, without the fins, a contour resembling an almost perfect disc. Its dorsal and anal fins were large and had elongated fin rays.[1]

Thiollierepycnodus, alongside Proscinetes, are the oldest pycnodontids discovered with complete skeletons. Older specimens are known only from isolated remains, mainly dentition.[1]

Thiollierepycnodus belonged in the subfamily Proscinetinae of the Pycnodontidae family, being a sister taxon to the Proscinetini tribe.[1]