Apateopholis laniatus
Order Aulopiformes, Family Ichthyotrigidae
Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Cenomanian Stage
Size: (25.4 mm = 1 inch) 175 mm in length on 222 mm by 90 mm matrix.
Fossil Site: Lebanese Fossil Lagetstatt, Haqel, Lebanon
Code: L391
Price: $1525.00
 Description:
The elongated head with a slender outline, long jaws set with small
teeth betray this unusual fish as a predator. Some scientists think
they may have used these elongated jaws in a side-slashing movement
to capture their prey. The slender shape and broad caudal fin would
seem to indicate that they could be highly efficient pursuit predators.
This is a recently-described taxon, having been published in 1986,
and one that is rarely offered for sale. They have no recent relatives,
and died out in the Late Cretaceous. |
