Eomesodon


Eomesodon is an extinct genus of prehistoric marine pycnodont fish.
It contains only a single definitive species, E. liassicus from the Early Jurassic of England, France, and Belgium. The specimen from England is known from a nearly complete skeleton. E. liassicus is the only known species of pycnodont known from the earliest Jurassic Europe following the Triassic–Jurassic [extinction event|Triassic-Jurassic extinction event], and the group does not see further diversification in Europe until the Toarcian.
In addition to E. liassicus, several other disputed species are known from earlier and much later. However, the status of these species and their placement within Eomesodon is disputed, and later studies refer to them as "Eomesodon". If the Triassic species actually did belong to this genus, then Eomesodon would be the only pycnodont known from both sides of the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.
The following disputed species are known:
  • "E." barnesi - latest Jurassic /earliest Cretaceous of England. Nearly complete specimen known.
  • "E." depressus Woodward, 1916 - Tithonian/Berriasian of England
  • "E." hoeferi - Late Triassic of Austria. Many small, complete specimens known.
  • "E." granulatus - Oxfordian to Kimmeridgian of England and potentially France
  • "E." rugulosus - middle Jurassic of England and France
Some studies have found it to be potentially related to the Triassic genus Brembodus, while others have found it to be more basal.