Gladiopycnodus

Gladiopycnodus is an extinct genus of pycnodont fish from what is now Lebanon. Fossils of the genus have been found at the Haqel and Hjoula localities of the Sannine Formation, both of which have been dated to the late Cenomanian. One of the more notable features distinguishing the fish from other members of Gladiopycnodidae is the two pairs of large backwards-pointing spines on the ventral area of the fish. These spines are made from scales, often referred to as ventral scutes, and are extremely large compared to other pycnodonts. The larger of the two being positioned near the pelvic fin pointing backwards and spanning past the caudal fin. Gladiopycnodus has been suggested to have had demersal ecology though it has also been suggested that the animal could have had a niche similar to the modern snipefish and bellowsfish. These fish would have lived in a warm marine ecosystem throughout a continental shelf. Throughout this shelf, small but deep basins would have been present with them being surrounded by rudist reefs. There are two species currently recognized: G. karami and G. byrnei.