Xiphiorhynchus Explained

Xiphiorhynchus is an extinct genus of prehistoric swordfish that lived from the Eocene until the Oligocene.^[1] Unlike the modern swordfish, both the upper and lower jaws of Xiphiorhynchus were extended into blade-like points.

Distribution

Fossils of Xiphiorhynchus have been found in:^[2]

Eocene

• La Meseta Formation, Antarctica
• London Clay, Selsey and Elmore Formations, England
• Yazoo Formation, Louisiana
• Moodys Branch Formation, Mississippi
• Castle Hayne Formation, North Carolina

Oligocene

• Chandler Bridge Formation, South Carolina

See also

• Prehistoric fish
• List of prehistoric bony fish

External links

• Bony fish in the online Sepkoski Database

Notes and References

1. Fierstine . Harry L. . 2006 . Fossil History of Billfishes (Xiphioidei) . Bulletin of Marine Science . en.
2. http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=36237 Xiphiorhynchus