Kratis

Kratis is a genus of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Eocene epoch. Fossil remains of Kratis have been found in Europe, notably in the Monte Bolca lagerstätte in Italy, which is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossil fish. The genus was first described by Louis Agassiz in 1839.

Members of the genus Kratis were relatively small fish, typically measuring a few centimeters in length. They possessed a generalized body plan characteristic of many early teleost fish. Their diet is believed to have consisted of small invertebrates. The discovery of Kratis fossils provides valuable insights into the diversity of marine life in the ancient Tethys Sea during the Eocene.

The Monte Bolca formation, where many Kratis specimens have been unearthed, represents an ancient tropical marine environment. The exceptional preservation allows for detailed study of skeletal structures, scales, and even the imprints of soft tissues. Studying extinct genera like Kratis helps paleontologists reconstruct ancient ecosystems and understand the evolutionary history of fish. While not as widely known as some other fossil fish, Kratis contributes to our understanding of ichthyological evolution.