Eosalmo Temporal range: [1]
| |
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Eosalmo driftwoodensis, Klondike Mountain Formation, Washington, USA | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Salmoniformes |
Family: | Salmonidae |
Subfamily: | Salmoninae |
Genus: | †
Eosalmo Wilson, 1977 |
Species: | †E. driftwoodensis
|
Binomial name | |
†Eosalmo driftwoodensis
Wilson, 1977
|
Eosalmo is an extinct genus of ancient salmonid that lived during the Eocene epoch. [1]
The genus was first described in 1977 from fossils found in lacustrine deposits in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, near Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, leading to the specific epithet E. driftwoodensis. [2] Fossils from this genus have also been found at sites in Princeton, British Columbia, the McAbee Fossil Beds in B.C., and Republic, Washington, United States. [3]
When first described the genus was thought to be intermediate in form to the extant salmonid subfamilies Salmoninae ( trout and salmon) and Thymallinae ( graylings). More recent review of the genus has placed Eosalmo as the most primitive member of the Salmoninae subfamily. [3] Fossils found in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park display a full range of individuals from young juveniles through adults. This range indicates that the genus was completely freshwater dwelling and did not spend time in saltwater. [4]
Several unique characters found in Eosalmo separate the genus from extant salmonids. The subopercle exhibits an anetrodorsal process which meets the edge of the subopercle at approximately a 60° angle. [3] Also unique is the basihyal tooth plate, which is broad, flat, thin, and lacking any teeth along the edges. Modern salmonids possess stout teeth along the edge of the basihyal. [3] The morphology suggests Eosalmo represents an intermediate between the modern Salmoninae and Thymallinae subfamilies and evolved from a grayling like ancestor. [5]
Eosalmo Temporal range: [1]
| |
---|---|
Eosalmo driftwoodensis, Klondike Mountain Formation, Washington, USA | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Salmoniformes |
Family: | Salmonidae |
Subfamily: | Salmoninae |
Genus: | †
Eosalmo Wilson, 1977 |
Species: | †E. driftwoodensis
|
Binomial name | |
†Eosalmo driftwoodensis
Wilson, 1977
|
Eosalmo is an extinct genus of ancient salmonid that lived during the Eocene epoch. [1]
The genus was first described in 1977 from fossils found in lacustrine deposits in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, near Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, leading to the specific epithet E. driftwoodensis. [2] Fossils from this genus have also been found at sites in Princeton, British Columbia, the McAbee Fossil Beds in B.C., and Republic, Washington, United States. [3]
When first described the genus was thought to be intermediate in form to the extant salmonid subfamilies Salmoninae ( trout and salmon) and Thymallinae ( graylings). More recent review of the genus has placed Eosalmo as the most primitive member of the Salmoninae subfamily. [3] Fossils found in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park display a full range of individuals from young juveniles through adults. This range indicates that the genus was completely freshwater dwelling and did not spend time in saltwater. [4]
Several unique characters found in Eosalmo separate the genus from extant salmonids. The subopercle exhibits an anetrodorsal process which meets the edge of the subopercle at approximately a 60° angle. [3] Also unique is the basihyal tooth plate, which is broad, flat, thin, and lacking any teeth along the edges. Modern salmonids possess stout teeth along the edge of the basihyal. [3] The morphology suggests Eosalmo represents an intermediate between the modern Salmoninae and Thymallinae subfamilies and evolved from a grayling like ancestor. [5]