Stichopterus is an extinct genus of chondrostean ray-finned fish that lived during the Early Cretaceous epoch in Asia.[1][2] It has been found in Russia (Murtoi Formation) and Mongolia.[2]
| Stichopterus Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acipenseriformes |
| Family: | †Peipiaosteidae |
| Genus: | †Stichopterus Reis, 1909 |
| Other species | |
| |
The type species, Stichopterus woodwardi, was named and described in 1909. Since then, up to three other species have been named or were reallocated to Stichopterus, respectively.[3]
Stichopterus is similar to Peipiaosteus from China. Both genera belong to the family Peipiaosteidae, together with Liaosteus, Spherosteus, and Yanosteus.[3][4] Peipiaosteidae are extinct relatives of Modern sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseroidei).
