Finjanidae

Finjanidae is a proposed family of extinct teleost fish. While not universally accepted by all ichthyologists, it was established to house a group of Mesozoic fish exhibiting a distinct combination of skeletal features. These features often included a particular arrangement of cranial bones and fin ray counts that differentiated them from other known fish families. The fossils attributed to Finjanidae are typically found in marine deposits dating back to the Cretaceous period.

The phylogenetic placement of Finjanidae has been a subject of ongoing research and debate. Some studies suggest it may be related to modern-day orders of ray-finned fishes, while others propose a more basal position within the teleost lineage. The limited number of fossil specimens and the incomplete nature of many discoveries have contributed to the challenges in definitively classifying this group. Further discoveries and detailed anatomical analyses are crucial for a more robust understanding of Finjanidae's evolutionary relationships and its place within the broader tree of fish life. The current consensus remains tentative, with its validity as a distinct family awaiting further corroboration.