The first articulated fossil cladistian: Serenoichthys kemkemensis, gen. et sp nov., from the Cretaceous of Morocco

Two polypterid postcranial skeletons are described from the continental Cen omanian of southeastern Morocco. These specimens represent the only articul ated fossil polypterid fossils known to date. The postcranial skeletons are less than 5 cm long and belong to a new genus and species, Serenoichthys k emkenensis, gen. et sp. nov., which is diagnosed by a short and deep body w ith 30 scales along the mid-lateral line and 10 scale rows below the third finlet, 9-10 predorsal scales and 24 caudal fin rays.