A new clupeomorph fish from the Cretaceous Maceio Formation, Alagoas Basin, NE Brazil

A small clupeomorph fish, Ellimmichthys maceioensis n. sp., is described and Dastilbe crandalli JORDAN, is recorded from the Aptian-Albian of the Maceio Formation in the Alagoas Basin, NE Brazil. E. maceioensis shares a number of features with other paraclupeines among which are shape and ornamentation of the dorsal scutes. However, meristic variation mainly concerning the number of vertebrae and pectoral fin rays distinguish it as a new species. In comparison with other Ellimmichthys species, E. maceioensis is most similar to E. goodi, known from Aptian freshwater deposits of West Africa. This corroborates the South American-African biogeographic connection at that time already shown by other taxa.