Biology:Xiphiorhynchus

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Short description: Extinct genus of fishes


Xiphiorhynchus
Temporal range: Eocene–Oligocene
Xiphiorhynchus rotundus.jpg
Artist's restoration of X. rotundus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Xiphiorhynchus

Van Beneden 1871
Species
  • X. elegans Van Beneden 1871 (type)
  • X. eocaenicus Woodward 1901
  • X. parvus Casier 1966
  • X. priscus Agassiz 1833
  • X. rotundus Monsch et al. 2005

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.

Distribution

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
  • Chandler Bridge Formation, South Carolina

See also

  • Prehistoric fish
  • List of prehistoric bony fish

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q1365161 entry