Xenolepis

Xenolepis is an extinct genus of prehistoric ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scanilepididae. These fish lived during the Late Triassic period. Fossils of Xenolepis have been found in Europe, specifically in regions of Germany and Switzerland.

Xenolepis is characterized by its distinctive rhombic scales, which are ganoid in structure, and its relatively small size. The name Xenolepis itself refers to the unusual or "strange" nature of its scales compared to other contemporary fish.

The Scanilepididae, to which Xenolepis belongs, represent an important group of early actinopterygian fishes. These fishes are significant in understanding the evolution of ray-finned fishes, one of the dominant groups of fish in modern aquatic ecosystems. Xenolepis, like other members of its family, provides insights into the morphology and ecology of fishes during a critical period in vertebrate evolution.

Further research on Xenolepis continues to contribute to a better understanding of the diversity and evolutionary history of early ray-finned fishes.