A new lepisosteiform neopterygian (Actinopterygii) from the lower Toarcian Grimmen Formation (Lower Jurassic) of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania, Germany

• DOI: 10.1007/s12542-023-00683-5
• Publication Date: 2024-07-10T06:02:31Z
• Authors: Detlev Thies; Kevin Stevens; Jörg Ansorge
• Keywords: Actinopterygii; Laurasia; Sister group; Osteology; Tetrapod (structure)

Abstract The Lower Jurassic (lower Toarcian) Grimmen Formation (formerly known as "Green Series") of Mecklenburg and Western Pomerania (Northeast Germany) yielded two articulated anterior skeletons fossil fish, which represent a new lepisosteiform genus species: Mengius acutidens gen. et sp. nov. taxon is described. Osteology the species most similar to contemporaneous Lepidotes Agassiz. It differs from in having non-tritoral dentition differently shaped operculum. A cladistic analysis shows be sister Lepidotes, accordingly, assigned family Lepidotidae occurrence M. emphasises endemic character lower Toarcian fish fauna Northeast Germany.