Pseudobates

Pseudobates is a genus of extinct prehistoric fish belonging to the order Clupeiformes. Fossils of Pseudobates have been found in the Eocene epoch, dating back approximately 56 to 34 million years ago. These fish are primarily known from Lagerstätten deposits, which preserve fossils with exceptional detail.

The genus Pseudobates is characterized by its relatively small size and deep, compressed body. Diagnostic features often include the structure of its scales, fin rays, and skull bones, although the exact features can vary depending on the species and the quality of fossil preservation. Pseudobates are thought to have been pelagic, living in open water, and likely fed on plankton or small invertebrates. Their phylogenetic relationships are still debated among paleontologists, but they are generally considered to be related to modern-day herring and sardine-like fishes.

Fossil discoveries of Pseudobates have contributed to our understanding of early teleost diversification and the marine ecosystems of the Eocene. The presence of Pseudobates in certain fossil sites can also provide clues about the paleoenvironment, such as water depth and salinity. Further research into the morphology and taphonomy of Pseudobates fossils is ongoing to refine its classification and evolutionary history.