Exellia

Exellia is a genus of extinct spadefish that lived in the Tethys Ocean during the early Paleogene. The adult form is shaped akin to a large spadefish or a short dolphinfish, with very large pelvic fins, and a long dorsal fin starting from in front of the eyes to near the base of the caudal peduncle. The juvenile form resembles a juvenile drumfish, with the dorsal fin forming a long crest on top of the head.

Exellia
Temporal range: 34 Ma
↓
Thanetian to Lutetian
Exellia velifer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Actinopterygii
Order:
Perciformes
Family:
Ephippidae
Genus:
Exellia
Species
  • E. velifer
  • E. proxima

The earlier species, E. proxima, is known from the Danata Formation Lagerstätten from the Late Paleocene of Turkmenistan. The latter-occurring species, E. velifer, is the better studied species, and is known from numerous adult and juvenile specimens from the Middle Eocene Monte Bolca Lagerstätten.

Most researchers regard Exellia as a spadefish, though, some remove this genus, and the related Eoluvarus[1] to a separate family, "Exelliidae."

References
  1. Phylogenetic Revision of the Fish Families Luvaridae and †Kushlukiidae (Acanthuroidei), with a New Genus and Two New Species of Eocene Luvarids


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