Tepexichthys aranguthyorum, Cretaceous

TEPEXICHTHYS ARANGUTHYORUM, Cretaceous
From South America
Presents repair and reinforcement
Measurements: 20 x 29 cm.

Fossil specimen of Tepexichthys aranguthyorum, from the Tlayúa Formation, in Puebla (Mexico). It corresponds to the middle to late Albian within the Cretaceous.

It is an extinct species of pycnodontid fish belonging to the family Pycnodontidae, a group characterized by its robust dentition in the form of a dental battery, adapted for feeding in reef environments. These fish inhabited shallow coastal areas associated with algae-rich lagoons near large reef systems of the ancient western Thetis ocean. The specimen was collected by Shelton Pleasants Applegate in 1981, who would describe and name it eleven years later. Its generic name refers to the Tepexí region, while the specific epithet was given in gratitude to the Aranguthy family, owner of the quarry and collaborator for years with the university in the rescue of the fossil record.

The piece shows signs of repair and reinforcement, maintaining a good structural stability and a correct reading of the fossil.