Archaephippus

Archaephippus ("ancient Ephippus") is an extinct genus of prehistoric spadefish that lived from the early Eocene.^[1] It contains a single species, A. asper, known from Italy.^[2] Several exquisitely preserved fossils have been found from the Monte Bolca lagerstatten.^[3] Some juvenile specimens preserve the vertical striped coloration that they would have likely had in life.^[4]

Archaephippus Temporal range: Early Eocene[1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Specimen of A. asper
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Acanthuriformes
Family:	Ephippidae
Genus:	†Archaephippus Blot, 1969
Species:	†A. asper
Binomial name
†Archaephippus asper (Volta, 1796)
Synonyms
Chaetodon asper Volta, 1796 Chaetodon substriatus de Blainville, 1818 Ephippus oblongus Agassiz, 1835

It was originally described as Chaetodon asper Volta, 1796, which was given the new name Ephippus oblongus by Agassiz (1835).^[5] When it was placed in its own genus, the original specific epithet was revived.

See also

• Paleontology portal
• Fish portal

• Prehistoric fish
• List of prehistoric bony fish