Cretaceous Eel Fossil from Lebanon

Name: Enchelion montium

Phylum Chordata Class Actinopterygii Order: Anguilliformes; Family Congridae

Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous Middle Cenomanian Stage (~95 mya)

Size: 58 mm

Fossil Site: Lebanese Lagerstätte, Haqel, Lebanon

Eal Fossil Enchelion montium is rarely seen member of the Order Angulliformes, Family Congridae; it is one of the earliest eels. The dorsal and anal fins are joined to form a fringe running the length of the body. These eels probably fed on worms, crustaceans, and other small amimals. The genus Enchelion met with extinction during the Upper Cretaceous.

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