Turicella

Turicella is a genus of extinct marine ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Turicella have been found in Europe, particularly in localities such as the Chalk of England and France, and in the Maestrichtian deposits of Belgium. The genus was first described by Sir Arthur Smith Woodward in 1901.

The typical Turicella species, such as Turicella laevis, are characterized by their relatively small size, typically measuring only a few centimeters in length. They possess a fusiform body shape, indicating they were likely active swimmers. Key anatomical features include a single dorsal fin, a pelvic fin situated ventrally, and a caudal fin. The scales are generally small and cycloid. Their dentition suggests a diet of small invertebrates or planktonic organisms.

The paleoenvironment in which Turicella lived was a shallow marine setting, often associated with the chalk seas that covered much of Europe during the Late Cretaceous. These environments were rich in various marine life, and Turicella likely played a role in the local food web. The preservation of Turicella fossils in fine-grained sediments indicates rapid burial events, which helped to protect their delicate skeletal structures. The study of Turicella contributes to our understanding of fish diversity and evolution during the Mesozoic Era, particularly in the context of the transition leading to modern fish groups.

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