Flindersichthys

Flindersichthys; Temporal range: Albian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Elopiformes
Genus:	†Flindersichthys
Species:	†F. denmeadi
Binomial name
	†Flindersichthys denmeadi; Longman, 1932

Flindersichthys is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish that lived during the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous epoch.^[1]

Description[edit]

Flindersichthys was a large fish growing over 1.25 meters long and with an estimated body depth of over 30 centimeters. The holotype specimen, QMF2210, is a nearly complete skull found near the Flinders River, one mile east of Richmond, Queensland, in the sediments of the Toolebuc Formation.^[2] Several other specimens are also known, mostly from the Toolebuc Formation, though some are from the Allaru and Normanton formations.^[2] It is assigned to the Elopiformes order, but while it shares some features with megalopids it is considered incertae sedis below this level.^[2] Judging from its dentition and the fact that the specimen QMF13720 has small, isolated vertebrae of a teleost fish in the mouth, Flindersichthys is believed to be a predator of smaller fish.^[2] It also had a large jaw with an underbite, possibly allowing it to swallow small prey whole.^[3]

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Bartholomai, A. (2010). "Revision of Flindersichthys denmeadi Longman 1932, a marine teleost from the Lower Cretaceous of the Great Artesian Basin, Queensland". Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. S2CID 189970876.
^ "Kronosaurus Korner - Fish".