Sparnodus

Last updated

Sparnodus
Temporal range: Cenozoic
Sparidae - Sparnodus vulgaris.JPG
Sparnodus vulgaris
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Acanthuriformes
Family: Sparidae
Genus: Sparnodus
Agassiz, 1839
Species [1]

See text

Sparnodus is an extinct genus of prehistoric perciform fish in the family Sparidae. Species of this genus were nektonic carnivores. These fishes lived in the Cenozoic Era, in the Oligocene and Paleocene (55.8 to 23.03 Ma). [2]

Contents

Species

Description

These medium-sized fishes usually could reach a length of 30 centimetres (12 in). They had a laterally compressed body, quite gibbous in the forepart, with a single dorsal fin, well developed and supported by strong spines. The anal fin was about half the length of the caudal one and was also equipped with spiny rays. Also the pectoral fins were long and well developed. The body was covered with large finely wrinkled scales. The mouth was small and had strong conical teeth. They had no palatal teeth nor protracted jaws. [3]

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. "Sparnodus". Paleobiology Database . Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  2. Sepkoski Database
  3. Geology, Introductory, Descriptive and Practical, Volume 2