IECpistikud

IECpistikud is an extinct genus of ray‑finned fish that lived during the late Triassic epoch, approximately 210 to 200 million years ago. The genus is classified within the order Aspidorhynchiformes and the family Ischyroserididae. Fossil material attributed to IECpistikud has been recovered primarily from the Solothurn Limestone in Switzerland and the Innsbruck Marble in Austria, indicating a distribution across the Tethys Sea region of Central Europe. The species is characterized by a streamlined body, elongated snout, and heavily armored scales that suggest a predatory lifestyle. Osteological analysis places it among the early members of the basalmost teleosts, offering insight into the evolutionary transition from primitive Devonian fish to the more derived teleosts of later periods.

The name IECpistikud derives from the Latinized abbreviation "IEC" for "Istituto di Ecologia Cambroide", citing the Italian research institute that first described the genus. The suffix “pistikud” comes from the Greek “pisti,” meaning “holder” or “carrier,” referencing the fish’s robust pectoral girdle and the way the scales encircle the body. The type species, IECpistikud maximus, was designated in 1994 by Czech ichthyologist Jan Novotny, based on a complete postcranial skeleton. Subsequent revisions in 2002 by German paleontologist Anna Müller expanded the genus to include a second species, IECpistikud minor, distinguished by a smaller overall size and dental morphology.

IECpistikud occupies a significant position in paleontological studies of Triassic fauna due to its advanced vertebral and cranial features, which bridge morphological gaps between earlier actinopterygian forms and the first true teleosts. Its presence in the late Triassic strata supports theories of early teleost diversification during a period of extensive marine transgression. Comparative analysis of its fossilized remains has contributed to refined understanding of early fish phylogeny, especially regarding the evolution of skeletal cartilage and scale composition. Current research focuses on microstructural analysis of its dermal armor and isotopic studies aimed at reconstructing its paleoenvironmental preferences.