Hippocampus ramulosus (Fossil Seahorse)
Class Actinopterygii, Subclass Neopterygii, Infraclass Teleostei, Order Syngnathiformes, Family Syngnathidae, Subfamily Hippocampinae
Geological Time: Lower Pliocene
Size: Fossil is 124 mm in length
Fossil Site: Marecchia River Formation, Poggio Berni, Rimimini Province, Italy
 Description:
This is a fine example of an extinct  seahorse. The tubular mouth
shows
that these members of the Syngnathiformes fed on small Crustaceans
and such, much as their modern-day relatives Seahorses and Pipefishes.
The genus is still extant today, living in subtropical and tropical
waters in various parts of the world. |
