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Taxonomy from Khalloufi et al. 2010. So far this fish was only known from Ein Yabrud, Ramallah. Description by Khalloufi et al. 2010, p. 47: "The diamond-shaped body of ca. 70mm in standard length is almost twice higher than long (the standard length represents 51% of the total depth). The axial skeleton comprises 33-34 vertebrae, with abdominalcentra anteroposteriorly constricted. The last abdominal vertebrae possess elongated parapophyses which support small ribs. The posterior predorsal scutes have elongated lateral wings, and the last scute is claw-shaped. The ventral scute series is formed by about 35 scutes with very elongated lateral wings. The scutes located posteriorly to the apex of the ventral profile possess a strong posteriorly oriented spine." Identified by B. Khalloufi, Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle Paris. References: B. Khalloufi, R. Zaragüeta-Bagils, and H. Lelièvre (2010) Rhombichthys intoccabilis, gen. et sp. nov. (Ellimmichthyiformes, Clupeomorpha, Teleostei), from the Cenomanian (Upper Cretaceous) of Ein Yabrud, Middle East: anatomical description and phylogenetic implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(1):57-67. Bouziane Khalloufi, Didier B. Dutheil, Paulo M. Brito, Théo Mora and René Zaragüeta Bagils (2017) Mesozoic clupeomorphs of North Africa: diversity and phylogeny. RESEARCH & KNOWLEDGE. Vol. 3 No. 2 page 46-49. DOI: 10.14456/randk.2017.25

Taxonomy from Fossilworks.org. Diagnosis from Murray and Wilson 2014, p. 39: "Aipichthyoidea differing from all other known aipichthyoid genera by the much greater number of dorsal fin spines, 11 or 12, compared with two in Aipichthyoides, two to three in Aipichthys, three in Freigichthys, four in Paraipichthys and Aspesaipichthys, and five in Errachidia pentaspinosa." Identified by A. Murray, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. References: Alison M. MURRAY, Mark V. H. WILSON, Stacey GIBB and Brian D. E. CHATTERTON (2013): Additions to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian/Turonian) actinopterygian fauna from the Agoult locality, Akrabou Formation, Morocco, and comments on the palaeoenvironment. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 525-548, 17 figs. Alison M. Murray, Mark V.H. Wilson (2014): FOUR NEW BASAL ACANTHOMORPH FISHES FROM THE LATE CRETACEOUS OF MOROCCO. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(1):34–48, January 2014.

Taxonomy from Fossilworks.org. Diagnosis from Murray and Wilson 2014, p. 35: "Aipichthyoidea with more dorsal fin spines than other species (five in this species compared to two or four dorsal spines in Aipichthyidae, two in Aipichthyoididae, and three in Freigichthys). Differs from Aipichthyoididae in having three epurals in the caudal skeleton instead of two. Differs from Aipichthyidae in retaining more than six rays in the pelvic fin." Identified by A. Murray, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. References: A. M. Murray and M. V. H. Wilson (2014) Four new basal acanthomorph fishes from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(1):34-48 Alison M. MURRAY, Mark V. H. WILSON, Stacey GIBB and Brian D. E. CHATTERTON (2013) Additions to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian/Turonian) actinopterygian fauna from the Agoult locality, Akrabou Formation, Morocco, and comments on the palaeoenvironment. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 525-548, 17 figs.

Picture under UV light References: Garassino, A., Pasini, G., Dutheil, D.(2006) "Cretapenaeus berberus n. gen., n. sp. (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae) from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of southeastern Morocco". Atti della Società italiana di scienze naturali e del museo civico di storia naturale di Milano 147. Garassino, A., De Angeli, A. & Pasini, G. (2008): New decapod assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) of Gara Sbaa, southeastern Morocco. Atti Soc. it. Sci. nat. Museo civ. Stor. nat. Milano, 149 (I): 37-67, Gennaio 2008

Taxonomy from de Mayrinck 2010. Diagnosis from Cavin 1999, p. 690: ": Lusitanichthys that differs from L. characiformis by the long and thin anterior process of the posterior supramaxilla, and by the thin neural spines on the preural vertebrae 3 and 2; pectoral fin with 18 rays; 39 to 41 vertebrae (with ural central." Line drawing of the head from Cavin 1999, p. 691: References: Cavin, L. (1999): A new Clupavidae (Teleostei, Ostariophysi) from the Cenomanian of Daoura (Morocco). C, R, Acad, Sci, Paris, Sciences de la terre et des planètes / Earth & Planetary Sciences. 329, 689--695. de Mayrinck, D. (2010) Relations phylogénétiques des Otophyses (Actinopterygii, Teleostei), en particulier des Characiformes et en incluant les formes fossiles. Thesis L’UNIVERSITÉ DE POITIERS DOUTOR DA UNIVERSIDADE DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO.

There are two Thorectichthys species in Gara es Sbâa: The deep-bodied T. marocensis and the more slender T. rhadinus. Etymology: Generic name from the Greek "thorectes", masculine, meaning a warrior armed with a breast plate, in reference to the abdominal scutes of the fish, and "ichthys" meaning fish. Species name from the Greek “rhadinos” meaning slender, tapering or lithe, in reference to the body depth of this species being much less than in T. marocensis. Taxonomy from Murray and Wilson 2013. Diagnosis from Murray and Wilson 2013, p. 276: "Differs from the type species Thorectichthys marocensis by having six predorsal bones (instead of five), having more total (24-26 compared to 22-25) and postpelvic (8-9 compared to 6-7) abdominal scutes and more pairs of ribs (17-18 compared to 14-15). In addition, there are 10-11 scutes in the predorsal series (8 in T. marocensis), and the body depth is 40-48 % of standard length (compared to 57-65 % in T. marocensis). Identified by oilshale using Murray and Wilson 2013. References: Murray, A. & Wilson M. (2013) Two new paraclupeid fishes (Clupeomorpha: Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 267-290, 8 figs., 2 tabs., 2 apps.

There are two Thorectichthys species in Gara es Sbâa: The deep-bodied T. marocensis and the more slender T. rhadinus. Etymology: Generic name from the Greek "thorectes", masculine, meaning a warrior armed with a breast plate, in reference to the abdominal scutes of the fish, and "ichthys" meaning fish. Taxonomy from Murray and Wilson 2013. Diagnosis for Thorectichthys marocensis from Murray and Wilson 2013, p. 269: "A deep-bodied fish with body depth being between 57 and 65 % of standard length, having a deeper body in relation to standard length than Ellimmichthys, Ellimma, ‘Diplomystus’ solignaci, Scutatuspinosus and Paraclupea, and having a less-deep body than Ezkutuberezi and Tycheroichthys. Rhombichthys as described varies in body depth with size. Eight scutes in predorsal series [compared to 7 in ‘D’. solignaci, or more than 9 in Paraclupea (18), Ellimmichthys (12-14), Ellimma branneri (12-13), Rhombichthys (12 or more), Scutatuspinosus (10-11), Tycheroichthys (16), and Triplomystus (12-13) [but 8 present in Ellimma cruzi, more than five in Ezkutuberezi]. The number of scutes and depth of body also distinguish it from the second new species in this genus." Identified by oilshale using Murray and Wilson 2013. References: Murray, A. & Wilson M. (2013) Two new paraclupeid fishes (Clupeomorpha: Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 267-290, 8 figs., 2 tabs., 2 apps.

Taxonomy from Murray & Wilson 2008. Diagnosis for the species from Murray & Wilson 2008, p. 431: "A macrosemiid fish differing from all others by the high number of scales laterally along the body (68, compared to 50 or less in the other genera) and the greater number of dorsal fin rays (about 47 total) than in any other macrosemiid genus (dorsal rays numbering fewer than 40). Dorsal fin separated into two lobes, as in Notagogus, Histionotus, Propterus and Macrosemiocotzus, but unlike the continuous dorsal fin of Enchelyolepis, Macrosemius, and Legnonotus. Squamation consisting of rhomboid scales with a smooth posterior border, unlike the rhomboid scales of Macrosemius, Propterus, Histionotus, Notagogus, Legnonotus, and Macrosemiocotzus, all of which have a pectinate posterior edge on the rhombic scales (Bartram 1977a; Tintori and Renesto 1983), and unlike the cycloid scales of Enchelyolepis (Bartram, 1977a); squamation complete on the body, unlike that of Macrosemius, Legnonotus, and Macrosemiocotzus, in which a strip beneath the dorsal fin is bare of scales (Gonzalez-Rodrıguez et al. 2004)." Line drawing by Murray & Wilson 2008, p. 431: Identified by oilshale using Murray & Wilson 2008. References: Bartram, A. W. H. 1977a. The Macrosemiidae, a Mesozoic family of holostean fishes. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Geology series, 29, 137–234. Tintori A. & Renesto S. (1983) The Macrosemiidae (Pisces, Actinopterygii) from the Upper Triassic of Lombardy (N. Italy). Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 89, 209–222. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, K. & Reynoso, V. H. (2004) A new Notagogus (Macrosemiidae, Halecostomi) species from the Albian Tlayua Quarry, Central Mexico. 265–278. In Arratia, G. and Tintori, A. (eds.). Mesozoic fishes 3 – systematics, paleoenvironments and biodiversity. Verlag Dr Friedrich Pfeil, München, Germany, 649 pp. MURRAY, A. and WILSON, M. (2008) A NEW LATE CRETACEOUS MACROSEMIID FISH (NEOPTERYGII, HALECOSTOMI) FROM MOROCCO, WITH TEMPORAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE EXTENSIONS FOR THE FAMILY. Palaeontology, Vol. 52, Part 2, 2009, pp. 429–440. Martill, D., Ibrahim, N. Brito, P., Baider, L., Zhouri, S.. Loveridge, R., Naish, D. and Hing, R. (2011) A new Plattenkalk Konservat Lagerstätte in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara Sbaa, south-eastern Morocco. Cretaceous Research 32 (2011) 433-446. MURRAY, A., WILSON, M., GIBB, S. and CHATTERTON, B. (2013) Additions to the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian/Turonian) actinopterygian fauna from the Agoult locality, Akrabou Formation, Morocco, and comments on the palaeoenvironment. Mesozoic Fishes 5 – Global Diversity and Evolution, G. Arratia, H.-P. Schultze & M. V. H. Wilson (eds.): pp. 525-548, 17 figs.

Taxonomy from Murray & Wilson 2011. Diagnosis from Murray & Wilson 2011, p. 4: "Differs from the type species by having fewer pairs of pleural ribs (12–13 compared with 15–16 in S. elusivo); articulation of jaw more posteriorly placed (below midpoint of orbit rather than below anterior part of orbit in S. elusivo); lower jaw correspondingly more elongate than in S. elusivo (mandible about 70% of head length compared with 57%–64% in S. elusivo); second dorsal ray elongated compared with that in related genera, but much less so than in S. elusivo (less than 50% of standard length (SL) compared with about 83% of SL in S. elusivo)." Line drawing from Murray & Wilson 2011, p. 4: Identified by oilshale using Murray & Wilson 2011. References: Martill, D., Ibrahim, N. Brito, P., Baider, L., Zhouri, S.. Loveridge, R., Naish, D. and Hing, R. (2011): A new Plattenkalk Konservat Lagerstätte in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara Sbaa, south-eastern Morocco. Cretaceous Research 32 (2011) 433-446. Cavin, L. & Dutheil, D. (1999) A new Cenomanian ichthyofauna from southeastern Morocco and its relationships with other early Late Cretaceous Moroccan faunas. Geologie en Mijnbouw 78: 261–266, 1999. Cavin, L., H. Tong, L. Boudad, C. Meister, A. Piuz, J. Tabouell, M. Aarab, R. Amiot, E. Buffetaut, G. dyke, S. Hua, and J. Le Loeuff (2010): Vertebrate assemblages from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern Morocco: an overview. Journal of African Earth Sciences 57:391–412 Murray, A. & Wilson, M. (2011): A new species of Sorbinichthys (Teleostei: Clupeomorpha: Ellimmichthyiformes) from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 48, Number 1, January 2011 , pp. 1-9(9).

Picture taken under both UV and ordinary light References: Garassino, A., De Angeli, A. & Pasini, G. (2008): New decapod assemblage from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) of Gara Sbaa, southeastern Morocco. Atti Soc. it. Sci. nat. Museo civ. Stor. nat. Milano, 149 (I): 37-67, Gennaio 2008

Line drawing from Taverne and Capasso, 2023, p. 490. References: Taverne, L. and Capasso, L. (2023). Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Agoultpycnodus aldrovandii gen. and sp. nov., a new pycnodont fish genus (Pycnodontidae) from the marine Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Geo-Eco-Trop., 2021, 45, 3: 487-495. Taverne, L. and Capasso, L. (2023). Erratum: Osteology and phylogenetic relationships of Agoultpycnodus aldrovandii gen. and sp. nov., a new pycnodont fish genus (Pycnodontidae) from the marine Upper Cretaceous of Morocco. Geo-Eco-Trop., 2021, 45, 4 : 709-71

Lit.: Martill, D., Ibrahim, N. Brito, P., Baider, L., Zhouri, S.. Loveridge, R., Naish, D. and Hing, R. (2011): A new Plattenkalk Konservat Lagerstätte in the Upper Cretaceous of Gara Sbaa, south-eastern Morocco. Cretaceous Research 32 (2011) 433-446 Cavin, L. & Dutheil, D. (1999) A new Cenomanian ichthyofauna from southeastern Morocco and its relationships with other early Late Cretaceous Moroccan faunas. Geologie en Mijnbouw 78: 261–266, 1999. Cavin, L., H. Tong, L. Boudad, C. Meister, A. Piuz, J. Tabouell, M. Aarab, R. Amiot, E. Buffetaut, G. dyke, S. Hua, and J. Le Loeuff (2010): Vertebrate assemblages from the early Late Cretaceous of southeastern Morocco: an overview. Journal of African Earth Sciences 57:391–412