Laasitidae

Laasitidae is a family of extinct ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Jurassic epoch. These fish are primarily known from fossilized remains found in Europe, particularly in Germany and France. The family is characterized by a distinctive jaw structure and a specific arrangement of fin rays, although detailed anatomical studies are limited due to the scarcity and often fragmented nature of the fossils.

Members of the Laasitidae family are thought to have been small to medium-sized fish, inhabiting freshwater or brackish environments. Their diet likely consisted of small invertebrates, based on analyses of jaw morphology and associated fossil evidence. The exact phylogenetic relationships of Laasitidae within the broader context of Actinopterygii are still debated among paleontologists, with some suggesting a connection to more primitive ray-finned fish lineages.

The discovery of Laasitidae fossils contributes to our understanding of fish evolution during the Jurassic period, a time when many modern fish groups began to diversify. The limited fossil record presents challenges in fully reconstructing their biology and ecological roles. Further discoveries and detailed analyses of existing specimens are crucial for a more complete picture of this extinct fish family.