Unveiling Petalodus: A Prehistoric Fish That Sheds Light on Evolutionary Diversity

Petalodus is a prehistoric genus of ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 to 65 million years ago. The type species, Petalodus ohioensis, was described in 2019 from fossil remains found in the Columbiana Formation of Ohio.

Petalodus was a large fish, reaching lengths of up to 3 meters (10 feet). It had a long, flat body with a broad, rounded snout and small teeth. Its fins were large and powerful, with a distinctive notch in the rear margin of the dorsal fin. The fish likely lived in shallow, coastal waters and fed on small fish and invertebrates.

Petalodus is an important fossil find because it provides insight into the diversity of marine life during the Late Cretaceous period, and helps scientists understand how different species evolved over time. Additionally, Petalodus shares some characteristics with modern-day sharks and rays, making it a valuable subject for studying the evolution of these groups.