Review of Vallecillichthys multivertebratum (Teleostei: Ichthyodectiformes), a Late Cretaceous (early Turonian) “Bulldog fish” from northeastern Mexico

  • Alberto Blanco-Piñón Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Apdo. Postal 1-288, Admón. 1, 42001 Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico.
  • Jesús Alvarado-Ortega Departamento de Paleontología, Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, México D.F., Mexico. Departamento de Zoología, Instituto de Biología, Universidade do Estado de Rio de Janeiro, São Francisco Xavier 524, Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, 20559-900, Brasil.
Keywords: Vallecillichthys, Ichthyodectiformes, Turonian, Agua Nueva Formation, Vallecillo, Mexico.

Abstract

A complete description of Vallecillichthys multivertebratum Blanco and Cavin, 2003, is provided. This ichthyodectiform fish was collected in the Vallecillo Member of the Agua Nueva Formation (Upper Cretaceous: lower Turonian) at Vallecillo, Nuevo León State, northeastern Mexico. On the basis of a comparative study, this monospecific genus is recognized as member of the suborder Ichthyodectoidei and placed with Ichthyodectes and Xiphactinus into the family Ichthyodectidae. This work provides data on Vallecillichthys for a future comprehensive phylogenetic analysis including all ichthyodectiform species.

Published
2018-01-23
Section
Regular Papers