Abstract
The fossil record of Upper Cretaceous fishes in Colombia is particularly scarce, with only eleven previously identified species. This study presents the first comprehensive report of the extinct aulopiform fish family Enchodontidae from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. Fieldwork in the municipality of Matanza (Santander Department) yielded five fossil specimens, including jaw and skull fragments. These specimens were collected from the Upper Cretaceous La Luna Formation and were described and examined to approximate their taxonomic affinity, depositional environment, and geological age. Detailed morphological analyses associate these new specimens with the genus Enchodus. Our findings provide new data that contribute to the understanding of Enchodus diversity and distribution. The presence of key diagnostic characters in our specimens aligns with established phylogenetic frameworks, while further highlighting the potential for the presence of new species within this record.ResumenEl registro fósil de peces del Cretácico Superior en Colombia es notablemente escaso, con solo once especies previamente identificadas. Este estudio presenta el primer registro de la familia de peces extintos Enchodontidae para la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia. El trabajo de campo en el municipio de Matanza (Departamento de Santander) produjo cinco especímenes fósiles, incluidos fragmentos de mandíbulas y cráneos. Estos especímenes fueron recolectados de la Formación La Luna del Cretácico Superior y analizados para establecer su afinidad taxonómica, ambiente de deposición y edad geológica. Los análisis morfológicos detallados asocian estos nuevos especímenes con el género Enchodus. Nuestros hallazgos aportan nuevos y valiosos datos que contribuyen a la comprensión de la diversidad y distribución de Enchodus. La presencia de caracteres diagnósticos clave en nuestros especímenes se alinea con las hipótesis filogenéticas establecidas, al tiempo que destaca el potential de nuevas especies dentro del registro aquí tratado.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
