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New Fossil Fish Reveals Otophysan Evolution Insights

10/4/2025

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Story summary
  • Acronichthys maccagnoi, a new fossil fish, was found in southwestern Alberta dating to the Late Cretaceous.
  • The 4 cm species sheds light on otophysan evolution, including catfish.
  • Researchers from Western University and the Royal Tyrrell Museum used micro-CT scans to study it non-destructively.
  • Findings indicate otophysans moved from marine to freshwater at least twice, diverging around 154 million years ago.