Acantholuto

Acantholuto is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossil remains of Acantholuto have been found in deposits dating back approximately 70 million years. The genus is known from a few key specimens, primarily from what is now North America. The name Acantholuto itself is derived from Greek words meaning "spiny" and "lute" or "gourd," likely referring to the shape or some feature of its fossilized remains.

These fish are classified within the order Lepisosteiformes, which also includes modern gars. Acantholuto species were likely freshwater or brackish water inhabitants, based on the geological formations where their fossils have been discovered. While detailed anatomical information is limited due to the fragmentary nature of most fossils, paleontologists believe Acantholuto possessed features characteristic of ancient predatory fish. Further research on new fossil discoveries may provide a more complete understanding of Acantholuto's morphology, diet, and ecological role within its ancient environment. The genus represents an interesting piece in the evolutionary puzzle of modern bony fishes.