Description and relationships of a new ichthyodectiform fish from the Tlayúa Formation (Early Cretaceous: Albian), Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

ABSTRACT A new species is described and proposed as a new genus and family belonging to the Order Ichthyodectiformes. The specimens referred to this taxon were collected in limestones of the Middle Member of the Tlayúa Formation of Albian age, near Tepexi de Rodríguez, Puebla, central Mexico. This new species shows a unique combination of primitive and derived characters. Its head and body proportions resemble those of other Cretaceous ichthyodectiforms, but its parietals are unfused and the caudal fin has three epurals and five uroneurals; it is also characterized by an unusually high total vertebral count, which comprises 78–80 centra, and areas of crowded teeth in the dentary and maxilla.