Bonobasis

Bonobasis is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Jurassic period. Fossils of Bonobasis have been found in the Solnhofen Limestone of Bavaria, Germany, a Lagerstätte known for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils. The genus was first described by Hans-Peter Schultze in 1966.

Bonobasis is characterized by its relatively deep body and a single, long dorsal fin. Its scales are small and cycloid. The teeth are small and conical, suggesting a diet of small invertebrates or soft plant material. While its exact placement within the ray-finned fishes is still debated, it is generally considered to belong to the order Osteoglossiformes, though some researchers have placed it in other groups.

The Solnhofen Limestone environment was a shallow, brackish lagoon, and the fossils of Bonobasis are often found associated with other marine and freshwater organisms. The excellent preservation allows for detailed study of its skeletal structure, fin rays, and even impressions of soft tissues in some specimens. The discovery of Bonobasis has contributed to our understanding of fish diversity during the Jurassic period and the evolutionary history of teleost fishes.