SilesianTriassic

Saurichthys sp.

jaw bone fragment

Dating uncertain – probably the boundary of Upper Röt and Lower Gogolin Beds, Triassic

Upper Silesia, Poland

Description

A fragment of the jaw bone of a actinopterygian fish, most likely of the genus Saurichthys.

The bone fragment measures approximately 9 mm in length. One tooth is preserved; it is sharp-tipped and slightly curved, consistent with the dentition characteristic of Saurichthys.

The bone surface closer to the tooth sockets is covered with numerous rounded ridges arranged in bands running parallel to the bone margin. Below this lies a distinct depression, also parallel to the margin. The bone beneath the depression is covered with numerous small, oval-to-round tubercles.

The skull of Saurichthys had a markedly elongated rostrum. Due to this elongation, the fragmentary nature of the specimen, and the lack of comparative material, it is not possible to determine whether the specimen represents part of the upper or lower jaw.

References

• Kligman, B. T., Parker, W. G., & Marsh, A. D. (2017). First record of Saurichthys (Actinopterygii) from the Upper Triassic (Chinle Formation, Norian) of western North America. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 37(5). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2017.1367304
• Wu, F., Sun, Y., Xu, G., Hao, W., Jiang, D., & Sun, Z. (2011). New Saurichthyid Actinopterygian Fishes from the Anisian (Middle Triassic) of Southwestern China. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 56(3), 581–614. https://doi.org/10.4202/app.2010.0007