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A new genus and species of stromateiform fish, Butyrumichthys henricii gen. et sp. nov., from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark is described. The description is based on six well-preserved, almost complete articulated skeletons plus a well-preserved head. All the specimens originate from the carbonate concretion horizons of the Fur Formation. The fossils were investigated also through element-mapping of strontium and phosphorus using a micro-XRF spectrometer in order to expose and enhance the skeletal anatomy. Butyrumichthys gen. nov. exhibits a unique combination of characters that support its recognition as a new stromateoiform genus, including jaws with uniserially arranged, small conical teeth, preopercle with at least 15 prominent spines, 37–38 (17–18 + 20) vertebrae, dorsal fin with 5–6 weak spines and 27–28 soft rays, and anal fin with two spines and 19–20 soft rays. The new fossil stromateoid described herein shows several morphological similarities to certain species of the genus SchedophilusCocco, 1839, especially S. pemarco (Poll, 1959) and S. medusophagus (Cocco, 1839), and is tentatively referred to the family Centrolophidae. The exceptionally preserved fossil fishes of the Fur Formation increase our knowledge of the diversity of Paleogene marine teleosts, also providing some of the earliest occurrences of modern lineages based on articulated skeletal remains, including that of the stromateiforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest Eocene (Ypresian) Fur Formation (Denmark) is globally renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossils, including birds, sea turtles, insects, plants, and fishes. Fishes, albeit abundant and diverse, however, are only superficially known and very few detailed, taxonomic studies have been realized to date. A new polymixiiform fish, Polyspinatus fluere gen. et sp. nov., from the Fur Formation is described based on seven well-preserved, nearly complete specimens. All the specimens were studied by traditional stereomicroscopy, and by micro-X-ray fluorescence-element mapping. Digital 2D-element images of strontium-, phosphorus-, and calcium distributions of each specimen were directly applied for the taxonomic descriptions presented herein. Polyspinatus fluere gen. et sp. nov. is the first known Eocene record of the family Polymixiidae based on articulated skeletal remains. Polyspinatus gen. nov. exhibits a unique combination of characters that support its recognition as a new genus of the Polymixiidae. Its specialized hyoid apparatus with the first and second branchiostegal rays being sinuous and parallel to each other, and the third being wide and plate-like, followed by four saber-like elements, is strikingly similar to that of Polymixia, supporting a possible sister-group relationship with extant beardfishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]