Bajaichthys


Bajaichthys elegans is an extinct Lutetian zeid from the Monte Bolca Lagerstätten.

Anatomy and appearance

The holotype is four centimeters in length. It has a deep, oblong-shaped body, a deep, but short head, a long tail composed of 27 caudal vertebrae, a long, crest-like dorsal fin, a long, banner-like anal fin with 29 to 30 rays running from the posterior region of the body down the entire length of the tail, and two enormous, wing-like pelvic fins.
The holotype was originally described as the remains of a larval form due to its small size and due to its strong similarity to the larval form of trachypterid ribbonfish.

Taxonomic Status

B. elegans' taxonomic has been debated since its description in 1983. Because it appeared to combine features of both taeniosomid lamprids, and of bathysomid lamprids, it was attributed to an incertae sedis position within Lampriformes. Further research placed it within Zeiformes, another group of acanthomorph teleosts.