Saldenioichthys remotus gen. et sp. nov. (Teleostei, Perciformes) and other acanthomorph remains from the Maastrichtian Saldeño Formation (Mendoza, Argentina)

Some isolated acanthomorph remains and a new taxon of perciform fishes, Saldenioichthys remotus gen. et sp. nov., from the Maastrichtian Saldeño Formation of Mendoza province, Argentina, are described and their systematic affinities are discussed. The new taxon is represented by a single incomplete, but well preserved postcranial skeleton. With the exception of a fully developed neural spine on the second preural centrum, it agrees with the generalized skeletal features of basal percoids, in particular the generalized perciform caudal skeleton. The only other Mesozoic perciform skeletal remains known so far are Nardoichthys , from the upper Campanian‐lower Maastrichtian of Nardo (Italy) and Eoserranus from the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation (India). Therefore, the new perciform taxon from the Saldeño Formation represents one of the oldest members of this group, and due to its peculiar combination of primitive and derived characters, it raises several questions regarding character evolution on this lineage.