Fukudacritérium

Fukudacritérium is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. Its fossils have been found in what is now Japan. The genus was first described by Tadashi Ono in 1997 based on remains discovered in the Kuwajima Formation of the Tetori Group. The type species is Fukudacritérium takayamense.

This prehistoric fish is known from articulated skeletons, providing detailed information about its anatomy. Fukudacritérium was a relatively small fish, with specimens measuring around 10 centimeters in length. Its body was elongated and compressed laterally. Key features include a large head, a terminal mouth, and a long dorsal fin. The caudal fin was forked. The scales were cycloid.

The discovery of Fukudacritérium in the Tetori Group is significant because this formation represents a terrestrial and freshwater environment. This suggests that Fukudacritérium was adapted to living in rivers or lakes. Its presence contributes to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of freshwater fish communities in East Asia during the Cretaceous. The fossil record of Fukudacritérium, though limited, provides valuable insights into the paleobiogeography and paleoecology of the region. Further research may reveal more about its diet, behavior, and precise evolutionary relationships within the ray-finned fishes.