Rhombodus

Rhombodus is a prehistoric genus of ray belonging to the family Rhombodontidae.

Rhombodus
Temporal range: Cretaceous - Paleocene [1]
Fossil tail spines of Rhombodus meridionalis from Khouribga (Morocco.)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Order:
Rajiformes
Family:
Rhombodontidae
Genus:
Rhombodus

Dames 1881[1]

Species within this genus lived from the Cretaceous period, Maastrichtian age to the Paleocene epoch, from 70.6 to 55.8 million years ago.[1]

Life reconstruction of Rhombodus binkhorsti

Species

Species within this genus include:[1]

  • Rhombodus andriesi Noubhani and Cappetta 1994
  • Rhombodus binkhorsti Dames, 1881 North America
  • Rhombodus bondoni Arambourg 1952
  • Rhombodus carentonensis Vullo 2005
  • Rhombodus ibericus Kriwet et al. 2007
  • Rhombodus laevis Cappetta and Case 1975
  • Rhombodus meridionalis Arambourg 1952
  • Rhombodus microdon Arambourg 1952

Description

Rhombodus species could reach a length of 75–100 centimetres (30–39 in).[2] This genus is known from its caudal spines and rhombic teeth, which are all that usually fossilises. These rhombic teeth are bilobate, with vertical wrinkles and a width of about 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in).[3]

Distribution

Fossils have been found in the sediments of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.[1]

See also
  • Flora and fauna of the Maastrichtian stage
  • List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes)

References
  1. Fossilworks
  2. Cow Nosed Rays
  3. Jim Bourdon Rhombodus - Extinct myliobatoid ray


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