Xiphiorhynchus is an extinct genus of prehistoric swordfish that lived from the Eocene until the Oligocene.[1] Unlike the modern swordfish, both the upper and lower jaws of Xiphiorhynchus were extended into blade-like points.
Xiphiorhynchus Temporal range:
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Artist's restoration of X. rotundus | |
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Genus: | †Xiphiorhynchus Van Beneden 1871
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Distribution edit
Fossils of Xiphiorhynchus have been found in:[2]
- Eocene
- La Meseta Formation, Antarctica
- London Clay, Selsey and Elmore Formations, England
- Yazoo Formation, Louisiana
- Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi
- Castle Hayne Formation, North Carolina
- Oligocene
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Fierstine, Harry L. (2006). "Fossil History of Billfishes (Xiphioidei)". Bulletin of Marine Science.
- ^ Xiphiorhynchus at Fossilworks.org