Pycnodus

Pik-noe-dus.
By Claire Morris
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Claire Morris

Marine Paleontologist

Claire Morris has dedicated her career to exploring the depths of prehistoric oceans. Her fascination with ancient marine life has led her to discover significant fossils that illuminate the evolution of early sea creatures.

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Morris, C. (2013, July 16). Pycnodus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/pycnodus/

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Name

Pycnodus ‭(‬crowded teeth‭)‬.

Phonetic

Pik-noe-dus.

Named By

Agassiz‭ ‬-‭ ‬1835.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Actinopterygii,‭ ‬Pycnodontiformes,‭ ‬Pycnodontidae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

P.‭ ‬platessus‭

Size

Roughly about‭ ‬12‭ ‬centimetres long,‭ ‬some variation between species.

Known locations

Across Europe,‭ ‬also known from north and east Africa,‭ ‬Saudi Arabia and India.

Time Period

Oxfordian of the Jurassic through to the Lutetian of the Eocene.

Fossil representation

Multiple individuals.

In Depth

       Pycnodus have deep bodies with greatly reduced pectoral and pelvic fins,‭ ‬altogether suggesting a slow swimming lifestyle.‭ ‬The name Pycnodus is derived from the batteries of grinding teeth within the mouth which would have been very efficient at processing shelled molluscs,‭ ‬small crustaceans and echinoderms‭ (‬urchins and starfish‭)‬.‭ ‬The broad temporal and geographic grange of the genus indicates that Pycnodus‭ ‬were highly successful in their ecological niche.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Eocene ichthyofauna from the Subathu Formation,‭ ‬Northwestern Himalaya,‭ ‬India.‭ ‬-‭ ‬K.‭ ‬Kumar‭ & ‬R.‭ ‬S.‭ ‬Loyal‭ ‬-‭ ‬1987.

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