Eosalmo

Eosalmo is an extinct genus of ancient salmonid that lived during the Eocene epoch.

Eosalmo Temporal range: Middle Eocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Eosalmo driftwoodensis, Klondike Mountain Formation, Washington, USA
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Salmoniformes
Family:	Salmonidae
Subfamily:	Salmoninae
Genus:	†Eosalmo Wilson, 1977
Species:	†E. driftwoodensis
Binomial name
†Eosalmo driftwoodensis Wilson, 1977

The genus was first described in 1977 from fossils found in lacustrine deposits in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park, near Smithers, British Columbia, Canada, leading to the specific epithet E. driftwoodensis. Fossils from this genus have also been found at sites in Princeton, British Columbia, the McAbee Fossil Beds in B.C., and Republic, Washington, United States.

When first described the genus was thought to be intermediate in form to the extant salmonid subfamilies Salmoninae (trout and salmon) and Thymallinae (graylings). More recent review of the genus has placed Eosalmo as the most primitive member of the Salmoninae subfamily. Fossils found in Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park display a full range of individuals from young juveniles through adults. This range indicates that the genus was completely freshwater dwelling and did not spend time in saltwater.

Several unique characters found in Eosalmo separate the genus from extant salmonids. The subopercle exhibits an anetrodorsal process which meets the edge of the subopercle at approximately a 60° angle. Also unique is the basihyal tooth plate, which is broad, flat, thin, and lacking any teeth along the edges. Modern salmonids possess stout teeth along the edge of the basihyal. The morphology suggests Eosalmo represents an intermediate between the modern Salmoninae and Thymallinae subfamilies and evolved from a grayling like ancestor.

• Prehistoric fish
• List of prehistoric bony fish genera