Abstract

The Late Jurassic Bavarichthys incognitus, n. gen. n. sp. from Ettling, Bavaria, is described. The new species represents the oldest record of a crossognathiform in Europe and together with Chongichthys from the Oxfordian of South America stands at the basal levels of a clade including crossognathids and pachyrhizodontoids. In addition, the new fish represents the first record of a crossognathiform in the Solnhofen Limestones. The new genus is characterized by numerous features such as the presence of infraorbitals 1–3 independent and 4 + 5 fused; two supramaxillary bones present; supramaxilla 2 considerably shorter than supramaxilla 1 and lacking an antero-dorsal process; well-developed series of epineural, epicentral and epipleural intermuscular bones; parhypural and hypurals 1 and 2 partially fused to each other; a series of epaxial basal fulcra; and a few, elongate fringing fulcra associated with the dorsal leading margin of caudal fin.