A large marine gar fish (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) from the Turonian Akrabou Formation of Asfla, Morocco

The Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) Akrabou Formation at Asfla in south east Morocco is a marine carbonate succession well-known for its exceptionally preserved, often three-dimensional vertebrate fossils. It perhaps best known diverse ichthyological assemblage comprising both cartilaginous and bony fishes, notably teleosts pycnodonts. However, holostean fishes (Holostei), particularly gars (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) are previously unreported from the formation. Described here partial specimen consisting articulated squamation of large lepisosteiform (Gar). Fossil extant predominantly recorded freshwater environments therefore occurrence new specimens an outer shelf deposit unusual. confidently assigned to Lepisosteidae based on characteristic which differentiates it all other gar families. Specimen biostratinomy taphonomy discussed with revision fossil record Morocco.