Pycnodus

Pycnodus Temporal range: Late Cretaceous–Lutetian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
File:Pycnodus platessus.jpg
Pycnodus platessus
Conservation status
Fossil
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pycnodontiformes
Family:	Pycnodontidae
Genus:	Pycnodus

Pycnodus (from Greek for crowded teeth) is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish ranging from the Cretaceous to Eocene periods. As its name suggests, it is the type genus of Pycnodontiformes.

File:Pycnodus bernardi.jpg

Pycnodus bernardi

The known whole fossils of Pycnodus are around long, and have a superficial resemblance to angelfish or butterflyfish. The animals, as typical of all other pycnodontids, had many knob-like teeth, forming pavements in the jaws with which to break and crush hard food substances, probably mollusks and echinoderms. These teeth are the most common form of fossil.

Pycnodus fossils have been found in present-day India, Northern Africa, Belgium, England, and Italy, regions corresponding with the Tethys Ocean.