New species of Enchodus (Pisces: Enchodontoidei) from the lower Cenomanian of Ein-Yabrud, Israel

Author:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A new species, Enchodus brevis (Enchodontoidei: Enchodontidae), is described from lower Cenomanian beds in Ein-Yabrud, near Jerusalem. The species is characterized by the following features: the shortest enchodontid body; an ectopterygoid bearing one smooth canine terminal tooth; barbed dentary teeth; a huge front tooth of dentary with two anterior cutting edges; two supraneurals; second preural vertebra without a neural spine; and absence of lateral line scales except for a long hook-like terminal scale at the caudal peduncle. The systematic position of the new species suggests the emendment of the generic diagnosis.