Ichthyodectes

Ik-fee-o-dek-tees.
By Cassidy Wood
Published on

Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Wood, C. (2013, August 30). Ichthyodectes. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/ichthyodectes/

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Name

Ichthyodectes.

Phonetic

Ik-fee-o-dek-tees.

Named By

Edward Drinker Cope‭ ‬-‭ ‬1870.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Actinopterygii,‭ ‬Ichthyodectidae,‭ ‬Ichthyodectinae.

Diet

Piscivore/Carnivore.

Species

I.‭ ‬ctenodon‭

Size

Up to‭ ‬4‭ ‬meters long.

Known locations

Canada,‭ ‬Manitoba‭ ‬-‭ ‬Vermilion River Formation,‭ ‬Saskatchewan‭ ‬-‭ ‬Ashville Formation.‭ ‬USA,‭ ‬Alabama‭ ‬-‭ ‬Mooreville Chalk Formation,‭ ‬Texas‭ ‬-‭ ‬Eagle Ford Formation,‭ ‬Wyoming‭ ‬-‭ ‬Pierre Shale Formation.

Time Period

Cenomnanian through to the Campanian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

‭Many individuals.

In Depth

       Like with relative genera such as Gillicus and Xiphactinus,‭ ‬Ichthyodectes would have been a key predator in the waters of the Western Interior Seaway,‭ ‬the shallow sea that submerged the central portion of North America during the Cretaceous.‭ ‬Ichthyodectes had a long body similar to that of a modern day barracuda and was well adapted for efficient high speed cruising,‭ ‬as well as bursts of intense speed.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Another Sternberg‭ “‬Fish-within-a-Fish‭” ‬Discovery:‭ ‬First Report of Ichthyodectes ctenodon‭ (‬Teleostei‭; ‬Ichthyodectiformes‭) ‬with Stomach Contents.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science‭ ‬113‭(‬3‭ & ‬4‭)‬:197-205.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Michael J.‭ ‬Everhart,‭ ‬Scott A.‭ ‬Hageman‭ & ‬Brian L.‭ ‬Hoffman‭ ‬-‭ ‬2010.

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