Elasmodectes avitus is an extinct prehistoric holocephalan fish species from the Chimaeriformes order, representing an early evolutionary stage of cartilaginous marine vertebrates from the Mesozoic era.
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Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
Marine paleoenvironments of the Mesozoic period, likely inhabiting deep continental shelf and upper slope marine ecosystems
Ecological Role
Significant in understanding early evolutionary radiation of holocephalan fish lineages and marine biodiversity during prehistoric marine ecosystems
Morphology
SKIN COATSmooth cartilaginous dermal covering with potential protective scales or denticles
LIMBS WINGSLikely possessed modified pectoral fins characteristic of holocephalan body plan
HEAD SENSORYPrimitive sensory structures with potential specialized cranial adaptations for deep marine environments
BODY STRUCTURECartilaginous skeleton, elongated body typical of early chimaera species, approximately 0.5-1 m in estimated length
Data Source: TaxonHub Database
Image Credit: Ghedoghedo
