Amphistium
| Amphistium paradoxum Temporal range: Middle Eocene | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Superorder: | Acanthopterygii |
| Order: | Pleuronectiformes |
| Genus: | †Amphistium Agassiz, 1835 |
| Species: | † A. paradoxum |
| Binomial name | |
| Amphistium paradoxum Agassiz, 1835 | |
Amphistium paradoxum, the only species classified under the genus Amphistium, is a fossil fish which has been identified as an early relative of the flatfish, and as a transitional fossil.[1] In a typical modern flatfish, the head is asymmetric with both eyes on one side of the head. In Amphistium, the transition from the typical symmetric head of a vertebrate is incomplete, with one eye placed near the top of the head.[2]
Amphistium is among the many fossil fish species known from the Monte Bolca Lagerstätte of Lutetian Italy. Heteronectes is a related, and very similar fossil from a slightly earlier strata of France.
References
- ↑ "Odd Fish Find Contradicts Intelligent-Design Argument". National Geographic. July 9, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ↑ Matt Friedman (2008-07-10). "The evolutionary origin of flatfish asymmetry". Nature 454 (7201): 209–212. doi:10.1038/nature07108. PMID 18615083.
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