A new genus and species of Amiidae (Holostei; Osteichthyes) from the Late Cretaceous of North America, with comments on the phylogeny of the Amiidae

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Abstract
Melvius thomasi, new genus and new species, from the Late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation of northeastern Montana and Wyoming, is one of the largest known amiids (standard length 160 cm or more). It is based on disarticulated elements of the skull and axial skeleton. Additional isolated elements probably referable to this species are known from North and South Dakota, Utah, Texas and New Mexico. All known specimens occur below the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary. Specimens of large amiids from the Early Cretaceous Trinity Formation, Texas, may also be referable to this or a related taxon. Detailed comparison with other amiids, described from more complete material, is not yet possible, but some features of the new taxon appear to relate it to Enneles and Pachyamia. Melvius lived in estuaries and large rivers along the western margin of the Western Interior Sea.