Blochius
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Blochius is an extinct genus of billfish from the Eocene. It is only known from the Monte Bolca deposits in Italy, and was likely restricted to shallow, tropical waters of the Tethys Ocean.
Blochius is an extinct genus of billfish from the Eocene. It is only known from the Monte Bolca deposits in Italy, and was likely restricted to shallow, tropical waters of the Tethys Ocean.
Description
Blochius had a very slender elongated body, a narrow head with elongated upper and lower jaws and large eyes. Much like its modern relatives such as swordfish, it had an elongated rostrum. Although generally small in size at around 2 feet in length, it could reach a maximum length of . The rostrum generally comprised 40% of the body length. It likely hunted in a manner similar to modern needlefish.
References
Blochius, Paleobiology Database Harry L. Fierstine: Fossil History of Billfishes (Xiphioidei). Bulletin of Marine Science, Volume 79, Issue 3, January 2006, Seiten 433-453 Abstract Karl Albert Frickhinger: Fossilien Atlas Fische, Mergus-Verlag, Melle, 1999,
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