Thoracopteridae is an extinct family of prehistoric bony fish classified with the order Peltopleuriformes, containing four genera: Thoracopterus, Gigantopterus, Potanichthys and Italopterus. This lineage of Triassic flying fish-like Perleidiformes converted their pectoral and pelvic fins into broad wings very similar to those of their modern counterparts. However, this group is not related to modern flying fish from the family Exocoetidae, instead being a case of convergent evolution.

Classification

  • Family †Thoracopteridae Griffith, 1977 sensu Xu et al., 2013 Genus †Thoracopterus Bronn, 1858 †Thoracopterus niederristi Bronn, 1858 Genus †Gigantopterus Abel, 1906 †Gigantopterus telleri Abel, 1906 Genus †Potanichthys Xu et al., 2013 †Potanichthys xingyiensis Xu et al., 2013 (or †Potanichthys wushaensis Tintori et al., 2012) Genus †Italopterus Shen & Arratia, 2022 †Italopterus martinisi Tintori & Sassi, 1992 †Italopterus magnificus Tintori & Sassi, 1992

Bibliography

  • Sepkoski, Jack (2002). . Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560.