Chondrenchelyiformes

Chondrenchelyiformes is an extinct order of holocephalan cartilaginous fish, known from the Early Carboniferous of Europe and North America.

There are currently two recognised genera known from largely complete remains, Chondrenchelys from the Visean of Scotland, and Harpagofututor from the Serpukhovian aged Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana, United States.

Both genera have elongate, eel-like bodies, with their mouths having tooth plates similar to those of living chimaeras, to which they share numerous anatomical similarities indicating a close relationship.

Isolated tooth plates assigned to the genus Platyxystrodus likely belong to members of the family, which would extend the range of the group into the late Carboniferous.

[1] Chondrenchelyiformes generally have elongate bodies with tapered heads, the lower jaw (mandible) is elongate, and articulates with the quadrate bone of the skull below the posteior edge of the eye socket.