McPheeidae

McPheeidae is a proposed family of extinct ray-finned fishes. This taxonomic group was established to accommodate a number of Mesozoic fish genera that share certain anatomical features, particularly in their skull and fin structures. While the precise phylogenetic relationships of McPheeidae are still a subject of ongoing research, they are generally considered to belong to the teleost lineage, representing an early divergence within this diverse group.

Fossils attributed to McPheeidae have been found in various sedimentary deposits dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. These fossils often exhibit a combination of primitive and derived characteristics, making their classification challenging. Key features that have been used to define the family include the morphology of the opercular bones, the arrangement of teeth, and the structure of the pectoral and dorsal fins.

The genera included within McPheeidae are diverse in size and habit. Some were relatively small, while others could reach considerable lengths. Their fossil distribution suggests a widespread presence in marine and possibly brackish environments across different continents during the Mesozoic. Understanding McPheeidae contributes to our knowledge of early teleost evolution and the diversification of fish life during the age of dinosaurs. The exact composition and validity of this family remain under review by paleontologists as new fossil evidence emerges and analytical techniques improve.