Biology:Squaloraja

Short description: Extinct genus of cartilaginous fishes

Squaloraja Temporal range: Early Jurassic 200–195 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Squaloraja polyspondyla fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Order:	Chimaeriformes
Suborder:	Squalorajoidei Patterson, 1965
Family:	Squalorajidae Woodward, 1886
Genus:	Squaloraja

Squaloraja polyspondyla is an extinct chimaeriform fish from the Lower Jurassic of Europe first found by Mary Anning in 1829. Fossils of S. polyspondyla have been found in Lower Jurassic-aged marine strata of Lyme Regis, England, and Osteno, Italy.

Individuals of S. polyspondyla are characterized by their flattened, ray-like bodies, enormous, flattened rostra that comprise half of the bodylength, and, in males, a long, horn-like process.

See also

• List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish

References

Wikidata ☰ Q7581927 entry