Palaeoniscum

Palaeoniscum Temporal range: Late Permian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Palaeoniscum vratislavensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Infraphylum:	Gnathostomata
Superclass:	Osteichthyes
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Palaeonisciformes
Genus:	Palaeoniscum Blainville, 1818
Species:	P. freieslebeni (type) P. vratislavensis
Synonyms
Palaeoniscus

Palaeoniscum is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish from the Permian period of Europe and North America.

Palaeoniscum had a torpedo-shaped body 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, with a deeply forked caudal fin and tall dorsal fin, indicating that it was a fast swimmer. It was probably an active predator, feeding on other fresh water fish. Its sharp teeth could be replaced when lost, a trait also seen in modern day sharks. Like other early ray-finned fish, Palaeoniscum had air sacs connected to the mouth which served as a primitive swim bladder.^[1]

References

1. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 36. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.