Zignoichthys

Zignoichthys
Temporal range: Lutetian
Artist's reconstruction
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subclass: Acanthopterygii
Order: Tetraodontiformes
Superfamily: Tetraodontoidea
Family: Zignoichthydae
Genus: Zignoichthys
Species:
  • Zignoichthys oblongus
Binomial name
Zignoichthys oblongus

Zignoichthys oblongus is an extinct prehistoric relative of the pufferfish and porcupine fish that lived during the Lutetian epoch of the Eocene. Z. oblongus' fossils are found from the Monte Bolca lagerstätte of what is now Italy.

It lacked a pelvis, and probably could not inflate its body like its modern day relatives. In life, it would have resembled a paunchy triggerfish or a pufferfish with an elongated, downturned face.

See also

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/21/2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.