Prey content in a Saurichthys reveals the presence of advanced halecomorph fishes in the Middle Triassic of Monte San Giorgio

A detailed examination of a Saurichthys curionii specimen from the Cassina beds (early Ladinian) at Monte San Giorgio reveals the presence of advanced halecomorph fishes in the Middle Triassic period. The stomach content, analyzed using UV investigation, included a smaller Saurichthys and at least four other fish species characterized by reduced or absent scale coverage and thin, ring-like vertebral centra surrounding a persistent notochord. These findings significantly expand our understanding of the fossil ichthyofauna in Monte San Giorgio, indicating the presence of new species with advanced morphological traits.

Renesto, S., & Stockar, R. (2015). Prey content in a Saurichthys reveals the presence of advanced halecomorph fishes in the Middle Triassic of Monte San Giorgio. Neues Jahrbuch Für Geologie Und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen, 278(1), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1127/njgpa/2015/0519