Robustichthys

Robustichthys is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish from the Middle Triassic period, contains only one species R. luopingensis.^[1][2] It belonged to the clade Halecomorphi, which were once diverse during the Mesozoic Era, but which are today represented by only a single species, the bowfin. Halecomorphs are holosteans, a clade which first appeared in the fossil record during the Triassic.^[3]

Robustichthys Temporal range: Anisian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Fossil specimens, (A) IVPP V18568 (holotype), (B) IVPP V20416
Reconstruction
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Clade:	Halecomorphi
Order:	†Ionoscopiformes
Genus:	†Robustichthys Xu et al., 2014
Type species
†Robustichthys luopingensis Xu et al., 2014

Description

Robustichthys is described from Anisian Guanling Formation, Luoping, Yunnan, China. It is the oldest member of Ionoscopiformes, an order within Halecomorphi.^[1] The largest specimen reaches length about 36 cm (1.18 ft), which makes it the largest holostean fish in the Middle Triassic.^[2]