New material and phylogenetic position of Aidachar paludalis Nesov, 1981 (Actinopterygii, Ichthyodectiformes) from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

Abstract

Aidachar paludalis Nesov, 1981 from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) Bissekty Formation of Uzbekistan is referable to the teleost order Ichthyodectiformes by combination of the following diagnostic characters: large and massive intercalar, forming part of the hyomandibular facet and a canal for the jugular vein; deep premaxillamaxilla attachment; deep dentary symphysis; angled coronoid process of the dentary; teeth forming a single series in the jaws. It shares a unique character with Aidachar pankowskii (Forey et Cavin, 2007), comb. nov., from the Cenomanian of Morocco: hyomandibular facet clearly divided into two parts.