''Hoplopteryx'' is an
extinct
Extinction is the termination of a kind of organism or of a group of kinds (taxon), usually a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and ...
genus of
Trachichthyidae from the
Cretaceous.
Biology
''Hoplopteryx'' has a dorsal fin supported by nine unjointed, bony rays, deeply forked, homocercal tail, a moderately developed anal fin, and a pelvic fin located well forward. The snout is quite short, the
eye
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conv ...
s fairly large, and both jaws of the upturned mouth hold small
teeth.
Habitat
''Hoplopteryx'' was a marine fish, living in shallow chalk seas.
Size
''Hoplopteryx'' was at a typical length 27 cm.
Sources
* ''Fossils'' (Smithsonian Handbooks) by David Ward (Page 219)
*
External links
''Hoplopteryx''in the
Paleobiology Database
Trachichthyidae
Prehistoric ray-finned fish genera
Cretaceous fish of North America
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