A new pycnodontid from Cretaceous Lebanon

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A new genus of pycnodontid fish has been described from Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) age remains from a limestone quarry in Haqel, Lebanon. The new genus has been given the name Flagellipinna rhomboides ("Rhomboid whip fin"), with the genus name originating from the Latin words "flagellum," meaning "whip," and "pinna," meaning "fin," in reference to the whip-like fin of the new genus, and the species name originating from the Latin word "rhomboides," meaning "rhomboid," in reference to to the diamond-like body shape of the new genus. The new genus is described from remains belonging to four individuals, including a juvenile. The differences between the juvenile and the other specimens suggest an ecological change as the genus grew, with the juveniles being generalized foragers that lived in reef habitats and the adults feeding from crevices on the reef edge in deeper water, providing a more complete picture of the ways in which pycnodontids developed to exploit different resources throughout their lives. Here is an image of the four specimens used to describe the new genus and a link to the paper describing it.



Paper (open access!): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2019.1614012

[Halichoeres]

Man, Lebanon is just a treasure trove for pycnodonts. Thanks for posting!