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| This member of the Order Pycnodotiformes, Family Pycnodontidae, is the classic shape of the family. The downward-pointed mouth is thought to be indicative of a durophagous feeding habit, presumably sifting the bottom sediments. Notice the pavement-like teeth which were used to crush whatever it could glean from the sediment. While it has been called Mesodon, it is more correctly called Gyronchus. This taxon is better known from Europe, with some occuring in the Jurassic of Solnhofen. While this example is from the Cenomanian Stage (93-97 m.y.a.), the Order became extinct by the Eocene, some 50 million years ago. Fish is 5.2 cm long and is from Nammoura, Lebanon. |
