A new semionotiform actinopterygian fish from the Mesozoic of Spain and its phylogenetic implications

The material, an articulated, partial three-dimensional specimen, was unearthed from the Tithonian–Berriasian beds of the Matute Formation (Tera Group) in the continental Cameros Basin. The new taxon, Camerichthys lunae gen. et sp. nov., differs from other ginglymodians in presenting a unique combination of characters plus: presence of a suprapreopercular bone; antorbital intermediate in depth in relation to the other anterior infraorbitals; and infraorbital placed in the anterior border of the orbit subdivided into two portions (three uniquely derived characters).

The results of the cladistic analysis show that the new genus from Soria cannot be assigned to any of the three semionotiform families, Callipurbeckiidae, Macrosemiidae or Semionotidae. It is considered Semionotiformes incertae sedis . In the more resolutive analysis, with ordered characters, Camerichthys lunae gen. et sp. nov. appears as the sister group of the clade formed by the families Callipurbeckiidae plus Macrosemiidae.