Pseudoasthenocormus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pseudoasthenocormus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fossil of Pseudoasthenocormus retrodorsalis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | †Pachycormiformes |
| Family: | †Pachycormidae |
| Genus: | †Pseudoasthenocormus |
| Species: | †P. retrodorsalis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Pseudoasthenocormus retrodorsalis (Eastman, 1914) | |
Pseudoasthenocormus is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pachycormidae. It contains one species, P. retrodorsalis. It lived during the upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian, about 152–148 million years ago) and its fossil remains have been found in Germany.[1][2]
Large in size, this fish easily exceeded one metre in length. Like many other similar genera, Pseudoasthenocormus possessed a robust and compact body, although generally more slender than Asthenocormus. As indicated by the specific epithet, the dorsal fin is set back, originating just behind the anal, and is much shorter than the latter.[2] The dorsal fin is composed of a few rays, which decrease in size posteriorly. The anal fin has become independent, with the rays (about 30) starting almost vertically from the haemal arches. The palate was equipped with small, slightly curved conical teeth. Along the anterior margin of the jaws were larger teeth with laterally compressed bases.[1]
