Saurorhynchus (= Acidorhynchus)[1] is an extinct genus of carnivorous bony fish that lived during the Early and Middle Jurassic epochs.[2] Fossils have been found in Europe (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Germany,[3] Italy) and North America (Canada[4]). It is commonly found in pelagic and lagoonal deposits, but mostly marine. Largest specimens can grow up to 1.9 metres (6.2 ft).[5]
| Saurorhynchus Temporal range: | |
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| Fossil of Saurorhynchus | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | †Saurorhynchus Reis 1892 |
| Type species | |
| †Saurorhynchus acutus (Agassiz 1844) | |
| Other species | |
†Saurorhynchus anningae†Saurorhynchus brevirostris†Saurorhynchus hauffi | |
| Synonyms | |
Four Jurassic species are recognized.[3] In addition, the Late Triassic species Saurichthys striolatus, Saurichthys calcaratus, and Saurichthys deperditus are sometimes referred to Saurorhynchus, although Saurorhynchus is then treated as a subgenus of Saurichthys.[6]
Saurorhynchus is the youngest representative of the family Saurichthyidae and the order Saurichthyiformes. This family is known for its large, elongate jaws, similar to modern Belonidae. Saurichthyidae also includes the Permian genus Eosaurichthys and the Triassic genus Saurichthys.
