Cimolichthys was a large-sized
nektonic aulopiform fish, making it related to modern
lancetfish and
lizardfish. Within the Aulopiformes, it is generally considered a member of the
Enchodontoidei, a dominant group of predatory nektonic fish throughout much of the Cretaceous;[3][4] however, some other treatments instead place it outside the Enchodontoidei and in a basal position as
sister to the
waryfishes, a small family of extant deep-sea aulopiformes.[5] Yet other studies have instead placed it as a sister to the extant
daggertooths.[6]
C. anceps, C. gladiolus, C. semianceps, C. contracta, C. merillii, and C. sulcatus, all described by Cope (1872), are now considered synonymous with C. nepaholica.[3][12] Indeterminate remains are known from the Maastrichtian of
Niger & Brazil, and the Turonian of the
Czech Republic.[7][13]
Description
Although the closest living relatives of Cimolichthys are lancetfish and lizardfish, the living animals would have resembled very large
pikes. They could grow up to 1.5 to 2.0 metres (4.9 to 6.6 ft) meters long. Their bodies were covered by large, heavy
scutes. Typical of this species are narrow lower jaws with several series of teeth. Remains of undigested fishes or squids have been found in collected specimens. Particularly well-preserved specimens are known from the
Niobrara Formation of
Kansas.[14] Their barbed teeth are distinctive, and can identify the presence of this genus even in formations where articulated remains are not otherwise known.[11]
^
abcSilva, Hilda M. A; Gallo, Valéria (June 2011). "Taxonomic review and phylogenetic analysis of Enchodontoidei (Teleostei: Aulopiformes)". Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências. 83 (2): 483–511.
doi:
10.1590/S0001-37652011000200010.
PMID21670874.
^Hunt, Adrian P.; Milàn, Jesper; Lucas, Spencer G.; Spielmann, Justin A. (2012).
Vertebrate Coprolites: Bulletin 57. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.