Protarpon

Protarpon is an extinct genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the Elopiformes order. These fish lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically from the Cenomanian to the Maastrichtian ages. Fossils of Protarpon have been discovered in various locations, providing insights into the paleobiogeography of the Late Cretaceous oceans.

Protarpon is significant because it represents an early member of the Elopiformes, a group of fishes that includes tarpon, ladyfish, and their relatives. Studying Protarpon helps paleontologists understand the evolutionary history and diversification of these important modern fish lineages. The morphology of Protarpon fossils suggests that it shared some characteristics with both modern tarpons and ladyfish, but also possessed unique features of its own.

While the exact diet and ecological role of Protarpon are not fully understood, it is believed to have been a predator in the marine environments it inhabited. Further research on Protarpon fossils continues to contribute to our understanding of ancient marine ecosystems and the evolution of teleost fishes.