Rhombodus Temporal range: Cretaceous - Paleocene |
|
---|---|
Fossil tail spines of Rhombodus meridionalis from Khouribga (Morocco.) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Order: | Rajiformes |
Family: | Rhombodontidae |
Genus: |
Rhombodus Dames 1881 |
Rhombodus is a prehistoric genus of ray belonging to the family Rhombodontidae.
Species within this genus lived from the Cretaceous period, Maastrichtian age to the Paleocene epoch, from 70.6 to 55.8 million years ago.
Species within this genus include:
Rhombodus species could reach a length of 75–100 centimetres (30–39 in). This genus is known from its caudal spines and rhombic teeth, which are all that usually fossilises. These rhombic teeth are bilobate, with vertical wrinkles and a width of about 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in).
Fossils have been found in the sediments of Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.