Amia cf. pattersoni from the Paleocene Paskapoo Formation of Alberta

A well-prepared anterior half of an amiid skull from the Late Paleocene Pas kapoo Formation of south-central Alberta is described. The specimen is eith er very closely related to, or conspecific with, Amia pattersoni Grande and Bemis, 1998, from the Early Eocene Green River Formation of Wyoming. We le ave the specimen as Amia cf. pattersoni until additional material is found to further clarify its relationships. Amia cf. pattersoni is the oldest kno wn specimen clearly identifiable as belonging to the genus Amia (sensu Gran de and Bemis, 1998), and the Paskapoo species extends the known geographic range of Amia both northward and westward. The fish assemblage of the Paska poo Formation represents the most diverse freshwater Paleocene fish fauna k nown from North America. Based on comparisons of sample size and relative t axonomic diversity to the better known Green River Formation localities of Wyoming, we predict that further collecting will substantially increase the known diversity of the Paskapoo fauna. The Paskapoo Formation, therefore, has great potential to continue adding to the meager knowledge of pre-Eocen e freshwater teleost diversity in North America.