''Exocoetoides'' is an extinct genus of prehistoric ray-finned fish.

Etymology

The Latin genus name is derived from its resemblance to '' Exocoetus'', a modern-day flying fish. Fossil Museum

Description

''Exocoetoides'' species could reach a body length of about . The main characteristic of these decidedly small fishes was given by the extreme development of the even fins. In particular, the pectoral fins were particularly long (they could reach the anal region). Also the pelvic fins were large. Moreover the fins were provided with very long rays. In the caudal fin both lobes were the same size. Like today's modern-day flying fish they were also likely to perform a sort of gliding flight over water, thanks to the notable expansion of the pectoral and pelvic fins.

Fossil record

These fishes were widespread in the ancient Tethys Ocean, in the areas currently occupied by the Middle East and Europe. They lived in the Upper Cretaceous (

Cenomanian The Cenomanian is, in the ICS' geological timescale, the oldest or earliest age of the Late Cretaceous Epoch or the lowest stage of the Upper Cretaceous Series. An age is a unit of geochronology; it is a unit of time; the stage is a unit in the s ...

- Santonian, about 95 - 85 million years ago). Their fossils have been found in Lebanon and in Europe ( Croatia).

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5420516

External links

Planet Terre
Prehistoric aulopiformes Prehistoric ray-finned fish genera Cretaceous bony fish Prehistoric fish of Africa