Zurupleuropholis gen. nov. (Teleostei, Albian, Argentina), first pleuropholids from the Cretaceous of South America. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giordano, P. Guillermina; Succar, Cecilia A.; Codorniú, Laura; Cione, Alberto L.; Arratia, Gloria
• Is Part Of: Cretaceous research. Volume 84(2018)
• Page Start: 223
• Page End: 239
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Pleuropholidae -- Albian -- Continental Cretaceous -- Gondwana -- Taxonomy; Geology, Stratigraphic -- Cretaceous -- Periodicals; 551.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.11.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6671

Abstract

Abstract: Although the Cretaceous is characterized by a rich fish diversity, Cretaceous continental fishes from Gondwana are poorly known and comparatively scarce. Among these fishes, the family Pleuropholidae is only known by a few species relatively poorly preserved, from the Middle Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous of Europe, Africa, North America, and South America. In this paper, two new species of the pleuropholid new genus Zurupleuropholis are described, Z. quijadensis gen. et sp. nov. and Z. decollavi gen. et sp. nov. The new fishes were recovered in the Lower Cretaceous lacustrine Lagarcito Formation of central-west Argentina. This taxon constitutes a relevant finding considering that the representation of the family Pleuropholidae is rare worldwide. Zurupleuropholis gen. nov. appears to be the youngest known member of Pleuropholidae, and it represents the second record of the family in South America and the first record in the Cretaceous of the continent. Highlights: New species of Pleuropholidae from southern South America are presented. Zurupleuropholis gen. nov. is the second record of Pleuropholidae in South America. It is a relevant finding because Pleuropholidae is a scarce family worldwide.