Occurrence of a cyprinid fish (Leuciscinae) from latest Neogene (?Pliocene) sediments of Chotanagpur plateau, eastern India.

A compressed fossil fish bearing close resemblance to sub-family Leuciscinae (family: Cyprinidae) is reported from latest Neogene (?Pliocene) sediments of Chotanagpur plateau, eastern India. The recovered fossil fish contains exceptionally well-preserved skeleton. It is characterized by compressed belly, medium-sized head, well-preserved skull, ten caudal vertebrae, moderately long vertebral spines, cycloid scales, and well-preserved dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins. The fossil material and associated angiospermic flora indicate the existence of Leuciscinae and freshwater lacustrine environment (with intermittent fluvial incursions during flood events) in the Chotanagpur plateau during the depositional period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]