Bajaichthys
Encyclopedia
Bajaicthys elegans is an extinct Lutetian
lamprid from the Monte Bolca
Lagerstatten.
The holotype (and only known specimen) is regarded as the remains of a larval ("youthful") form due to its small size and due to its strong similarity to the larval form of trachypterid ribbonfish
.
and ribbonfish
), and of bathysomid lamprids (the anatomy of the pelvis is extremely similar to that of sailfins
)
Lutetian
The Lutetian is, in the geologic timescale, a stage or age in the Eocene. It spans the time between and . The Lutetian is preceded by the Ypresian and is followed by the Bartonian. Together with the Bartonian it is sometimes referred to as the Middle Eocene subepoch...
lamprid from the Monte Bolca
Monte Bolca
Monte Bolca is a lagerstätte near Verona, Italy that was one of the first fossil sites with high quality preservation known to Europeans, and is still an important source of fossils from the Eocene....
Lagerstatten.
Anatomy and appearance
The holotype is four centimeters in length. It has a deep, oblong-shaped body, a deep, but short head, a long tail composed of 27 caudal vertebrae, a long, crest-like dorsal fin, a long, banner-like anal fin with 29 to 30 rays running from the posterior region of the body down the entire length of the tail, and two enormous, wing-like pelvic fins.The holotype (and only known specimen) is regarded as the remains of a larval ("youthful") form due to its small size and due to its strong similarity to the larval form of trachypterid ribbonfish
Ribbonfish
The ribbonfish are any lampriform in the family Trachipteridae. These pelagic fish are named for their slim, ribbon-like appearance. They are rarely seen alive as they typically live in deep waters ....
.
Taxonomic Status
B. elegans taxonomic status remains unclear as it combines features of both taeniosomid lamprids (i.e., its larval form resembles those of oarfishOarfish
Oarfish are large, greatly elongated, pelagic Lampriform fishes comprising the small family Regalecidae. Found in all temperate to tropical oceans yet rarely seen, the oarfish family contains four species in two genera...
and ribbonfish
Ribbonfish
The ribbonfish are any lampriform in the family Trachipteridae. These pelagic fish are named for their slim, ribbon-like appearance. They are rarely seen alive as they typically live in deep waters ....
), and of bathysomid lamprids (the anatomy of the pelvis is extremely similar to that of sailfins
Velifer
Velifer hypselopterus is an Indo-Pacific Lampridiformes, better known as the sailfin velifer. The sailfin velifer is closely related to the spinyfin velifer, Metavelifer multiradiatus-External links:* at the Paleobiology Database*...
)
External links
- Bajaicthys at the Paleobiology DatabasePaleobiology Database' is an online resource for information on the distribution and classification of fossil animals, plants, and microorganisms.-History:The Paleobiology Database was founded in 2000. It has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the Australian Research Council...