Emachampidae

Emachampidae is a family of extinct ray-finned fishes that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Emachampidae have been found in various locations, including North America and Europe. These fish are known for their distinctive cranial morphology, particularly the shape and arrangement of their jaw bones, which suggest a specialized feeding habit.

Members of Emachampidae are generally characterized by a relatively short and deep body. Their scales are typically small and cycloid. The fins are well-developed, with the dorsal and anal fins often being long and extending along much of the body. The caudal fin is usually forked. Their teeth are often small and numerous, indicating a diet of small invertebrates or possibly other small fishes.

The exact phylogenetic placement of Emachampidae within the teleost fishes is still a subject of ongoing research. However, they are believed to belong to the Osteoglossomorpha, a group that includes modern bony-tongued fishes. The fossil record of Emachampidae, though not extensive, provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of freshwater fishes during the Mesozoic Era. The extinction of this family likely occurred at the end of the Cretaceous period, possibly due to environmental changes or competition from other fish groups.