Falciferidae

Falciferidae is a family of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Triassic period. These fish are characterized by their distinctive dorsal fin, which is long and falciform, meaning it is shaped like a sickle or scythe. This prominent fin is the defining feature from which the family derives its name. Falciferids possessed a streamlined body, adapted for swimming, and typically had scales covering their bodies. Their teeth were generally small and pointed, suggesting a diet of smaller aquatic organisms.

Fossils of Falciferidae have been discovered in various marine sedimentary deposits dating back to the Middle and Late Triassic. These discoveries have provided valuable insights into the diversity of fish life during this crucial period of evolutionary history, which followed the Permian-Triassic extinction event. The distribution of Falciferidae fossils indicates a presence in both European and Asian marine environments. While much is known about their morphology due to well-preserved specimens, detailed information regarding their specific ecological roles or precise phylogenetic relationships within the broader group of ray-finned fishes is still an area of ongoing research. The family represents a successful lineage of Triassic ichthyofauna that ultimately did not survive into later geological periods.