| Paleopsephurus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acipenseriformes |
| Family: | Polyodontidae |
| Subfamily: | †Paleopsephurinae |
| Genus: | †Paleopsephurus MacAlpin, 1947 |
| Species: | †P. wilsoni |
| Binomial name | |
| †Paleopsephurus wilsoni | |
Paleopsephurus is anextinctgenus ofpaddlefish (Polyodontidae).[1] At present the genus contains the single speciesPaleopsephurus wilsoni. The genus is known from theLate Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) agedHell Creek Formation ofMontana.
The genus was described from three partialspecimens currently residing in the collections of theUniversity of MichiganMuseum of Paleontology inAnn Arbor, Michigan, USA.[1] Specimen number22206 U.M. is a complete and well preservedskull with somedenticles,pectoral girdle and pectoral fins.[1] The second and third specimens were found in a block of matrix from the same location as2226 U.M.. Specimen22207 U.M. is a portion of thecaudal region of a paddlefish, while22208 U.M. is a partial shoulder with associated pectoral fin. While the specimens were found close to each other, it is impossible to determine if they represent a single individual, and as such were described as three separate fish specimens.[1] The specimens were collected from a sandstone outcrop of the Hell Creek Formation 24 miles (39 km) southeast ofFort Peck, Montana by a University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology expedition in 1938. the fossils were in close association with theholotype specimen of the extinctsturgeonProtoscaphirhynchus squamosus.[1]
ThePaleopsephurus specimens were first studied by Americanpaleontologist andichthyologistArchie Justus MacAlpin. He published his detailed 1947type description in the journalContributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan.[1]
The skull is about 274 millimetres (10.8 in) long, suggesting a total body length of about 56 centimetres (22 in). The skull roof is poorly preserved. The stellate bones are loosely packed and more poorly developed compared to the ones inCrossopholis orPolyodon, but are similar to those ofPsephurus.[2]
Like other non-Polyodon paddlefish,Paleopsephurus was likely piscivorous.[3]
Paleopsephurus exhibits a combination of characters which suggests that it is morederived thanProtopsephurus, but is more basal thanCrossopholis,Polyodon, orPsephurus. Relationships of the genera, after Grande et al. (2002).[4]
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