Rhombichthys intoccabilis, gen. et sp. nov. (Ellimmichthyiformes, Clupeomorpha, Teleostei), from the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) of Ein Yabrud, Middle East: Anatomical Description and Phylogenetic Implications

ABSTRACT A new double-armored member of the Ellimmichthyiformes (Clupeomorpha, Teleostei) is described from the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) of Ein Yabrud, near Ramallah, Middle East. The anatomical description of Rhombichthys intoccabilis, gen. et sp. nov., is based on 13 subcomplete or incomplete acid-prepared specimens. This taxon shows several remarkable characters such as an important dorsoventral elongation of the lateral wings of the ventral scutes that give an apex-shaped ventral profile in the biggest specimens. Some dorsal fin rays are very extended and branched, and the dorsal fin extends along the major part of the dorsal margin of the body. Rhombichthys intoccabilis, gen. et sp. nov., shares the synapormorphies of the family Paraclupeidae and the subfamily Paraclupeinae. It appears closely related to the genera Triplomystus and Ezkutuberezi, mainly in the basis of the shape of dorsal and ventral scutes and the absence of a hypural diastema.