Hypsidoris

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Hypsidoris
Fossil range: Early Middle Eocene - Middle Eocene

Extinct (fossil)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Superorder:	Ostariophysi
Order:	Siluriformes
Superfamily:	Hypsidoroidea
Family:	Hypsidoridae
Genus:	Hypsidoris

Species

H. farsonensis
H. oregonensis

Hypsidoris is an extinct genus of catfish, classified within its own family Hypsidoridae, from the Eocene period. It was about 20 cm (8 in) long.^{[citation needed]}

Hypsidoris looked very similar to the modern catfish, also possessing sensitive barbels used to detect prey in murky waters. It also had a vibration-sensitive organ called the Weberian apparatus, which consisted of specialized vertebrae at the front of the spinal column which passed vibrations to the inner ear, using the swim bladder as a resonance chamber. For defense against predators, Hypsidoris had large spines at the front of each pectoral fin.^{[citation needed]}