Dorypterus

Dorypterus is an extinct genus of prehistoric bony fish from the Wuchiapingian. It is a bobasatraniiform with a high dorsal fin. Dorypterus is the only member of its family, the Dorypteridae. It has two species, Dorypterus hoffmanni and Dorypterus althausi.

 Description 
This small fish did not exceed 15 cm. The most unusual feature of Dorypterus was its dorsal fin, which was exceptionally high. D. hoffmanni has a long dorsal fin, while D. althausi has a short dorsal fin.

 Classification 

 Discovery 
The type species, D. hoffmanni, was described by Germar in 1842. On that same year, D. althausi was described by Georg Zu Münster.

 Species 

 †Dorypterus hoffmanni Germar, 1842 (type species)
 †Dorypterus althausi Münster, 1842

 References 

 Schaumberg, Günther (1977). "Die Richelsdorfer Kupferschiefer und seine Fossilien, III". Aufschluss. 28: 297–352.

Category:Extinct fish
Category:Ray-finned fish
Category:Taxa described in 1842