Brachaeluridae
Brachaeluridae is a family of extinct cartilaginous fish that lived during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. Members of this family are known from fossils found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Brachaeluridae is classified within the order Synechodontiformes, which is part of the subclass Holocephali, a group that includes the modern chimaeras.
Common Names
There are no common names for Brachaeluridae, as they are an extinct group of fish.
Characteristics
Brachaeluridae were characterized by their flattened, disc-shaped bodies and their large, prominent eyes. They had long, slender jaws with sharp teeth adapted for catching small prey. Like other synechodontiforms, they possessed a large dorsal fin with a prominent spine. Brachaeluridae also had a pair of pectoral fins that were large and paddle-like, and a pair of pelvic fins that were small and located near the tail.
Environments
Brachaeluridae lived in marine environments, likely inhabiting shallow coastal waters. They were probably active predators, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates and fish.
References
For further information on Brachaeluridae, please refer to the following resources: