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]
| Sparnodus Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| Sparnodus vulgaris | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Spariformes |
| Family: | Sparidae |
| Genus: | †Sparnodus Agassiz, 1839 |
| Species[1] | |
Species edit
- †Sparnodus altivelis
- †Sparnodus elongatus
- †Sparnodus macrophthalmus
- †Sparnodus micracanthus
- †Sparnodus ovalis
- †Sparnodus vulgaris
Description edit
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]
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Fossil of Sparnodus elongatus from Monte Bolca -
Fossil of Sparnodus macrophthalmus from Monte Bolca -
Fossil of Sparnodus micracanthus
Bibliography edit
- Bannikov, A. 2006. Fishes from the Eocene of Bolca, northern Italy, previously classified in the Sparidae, Serranidae and Haemulidae (Perciformes). Geodiversitas, vol. 28, no2, pp. 249–275.
- Day J. J. 2002. Phylogenetic relationships of the Sparidae (Teleostei: Percoidei) and implications for convergent trophic evolution. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 76: 269-301
- Day J. J. 2003. Evolutionary relationships of the Sparidae (Teleostei: Percoidei): integrating fossil and Recent data. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences 93: 333-353
- L. Agassiz. 1839. Recherches Sur Les Poissons Fossiles. Tome IV (livr. 13). Imprimerie de Petitpierre, Neuchatel 109-204
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Sparnodus". Fossilworks. Gateway to the Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
- ^ Sepkoski Database
- ^ Geology, Introductory, Descriptive and Practical, Volume 2
External links edit
- Alexandre F. Bannikov - Fishes from the Eocene of Bolca, northern Italy, previously classified in the Sparidae, Serranidae and Haemulidae (Perciformes)
- The "Pesciara di Bolca" and the "Monte Postale"
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