Nakamotoga

Nakamotoga is a genus of extinct teleost fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Nakamotoga have been found in Japan, specifically in the Izumi Group, which dates to approximately 80-70 million years ago. The genus is known from several partial skeletons, which have provided insights into its anatomy and evolutionary relationships.

Nakamotoga belongs to the order Ateleopodiformes, a group of ray-finned fish that are characterized by their deep bodies, large heads, and prominent fins. The Ateleopodiformes are a relatively small and poorly understood order, with only a few extant species. Nakamotoga represents an early divergence within this lineage, offering valuable information about the group's ancient history.

The fossils indicate that Nakamotoga possessed a fusiform body shape, suggesting it was likely a nektonic organism capable of active swimming. Its dentition and skull structure have been analyzed to understand its diet and feeding mechanisms. While precise details are limited due to the fragmentary nature of the fossils, studies suggest it was likely a predator. The discovery of Nakamotoga has contributed to our understanding of Cretaceous fish diversity in East Asia and the evolutionary development of the Ateleopodiformes.