Hoplopteryx

For the synonym of a genus of beetles, see Sphenostethus.

Hoplopteryx
Temporal range: Cretaceous
Hoplopteryx specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Trachichthyiformes
Family: Trachichthyidae
Genus: †Hoplopteryx
Agassiz, 1839
Species
  • Hoplopteryx antiquus
  • Hoplopteryx dakotaensis
  • Hoplopteryx lewesiensis
  • Hoplopteryx simus
  • Hoplopteryx spinulosus

Hoplopteryx is an extinct genus of Trachichthyidae from the Cretaceous.

Biology

Hoplopteryx has a dorsal fin supported by nine unjointed, bony rays, deeply forked, homocercal tail, a moderately developed anal fin, and a pelvic fin located well forward. The snout is quite short, the eyes fairly large, and both jaws of the upturned mouth hold small teeth.

Habitat

Hoplopteryx was a marine fish, living in shallow chalk seas.

Size

Hoplopteryx was at a typical length 27 cm.

Sources

  • Fossils (Smithsonian Handbooks) by David Ward (Page 219)
  • Grandstaff, Barbara S.; Parris, David C. (2016). "A new species of Hoplopteryx from the Carlile Formation (Cretaceous) of South Dakota". Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science. 95: 73–84.
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