Macropoma

Macropoma
Temporal range: Cretaceous Albian–Turonian
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Sarcopterygii
Class: Actinistia
Order: Coelacanthiformes
Family: Latimeridae
Genus: Macropoma
Agassiz, 1835

Macropoma (from Greek μακρός "large" + πόμα "cover", after its large operculum) is an extinct genus of coelacanth in the class Sarcopterygii. Fossils of Macropoma have been found in both England and Czech Republic, dating to the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Turonian). Recorded fossils have bodies under two feet in length. A modern coelacanth measures five or more, but in other respects the two genera are remarkably similar, and share the same body plan with a three-lobed tail and stalked fins.

Macropoma grew to a length of 22 inches (55 centimeters) and would have preyed upon smaller aquatic species.



This page was last updated at 2024-01-29 15:54 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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