Paleohoplias

Paleohoplias is an extinct monospecific genus of fish in the family Erythrinidae found in Brazil, South America. The type species Paleohoplias assisbrasiliensis was described in 2003, and was found in Solimões Formation in the State of [Acre, Brazil], dating to Huayqueriense-Montehermoseuse age.

Etymology

The generic name Paleohoplias is Greek for "palaios" which means old, and "hoplias", which is a closely related genus of fish in the same family Erythrinidae. The species name assisbrasiliensis is in reference to the city of Assis Brasil, which is near the type [locality (biology)|type locality].

Classification

Paleohoplias is one of four genera within the family Erythrinidae, and the only extinct genus. It is most closely related to the genus Hoplias.