Hypsocormus

genus of fishes

Hypsocormus (from Greek: ῠ̔́ψος húpsos, 'height' and Greek: κορμός kormós 'timber log') is a genus of pachycormiform from the Jurassic with fossils being found in Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The two species are H. insignis and H. posterodorsalis.

Restoration of Hypsocormus insignis

Description change

Hypsocormus was about 1 m (3.3 ft) long, with a caudal fin just like a mackerel. It had a dorsal fin, long pectoral fins and tiny pelvic fins.

Classification change

Discovery change

In 1860, Johann Andreas Wagner discovered the type species, H. insignis. The species was then placed into this genus. For a long time, it has been considered to be the only species of Hypsocormus. However, in 2020, Maxwell and others described a new species, H. posterodorsalis. There are currently two species in this genus.

Species change

Image gallery change

 
 
Fossil of Hypsocormus insignis
 
Hypsocormus insignis and Hypsocormus posterodorsalis
 

Related pages change

References change

  1. "Hypsocormus" Archived 2021-12-14 at the Wayback Machine. Paleobiology Database. Retrieved 17 December 2021.