Alisea

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Alisea is an extinct marine fish that lived in the area now known as California during the Upper Miocene period. It is generally placed in the herring family (Clupeidae) within the order Clupeiformes. Some scientists think it might also be related to shads because of its large size and its well-developed abdominal scutes (bony plates along the belly).

The name comes from alise, a Hindi spelling for ilish, a related shad fish.

Only one specimen has been found, and it is poorly preserved. Because of this, scientists are not sure whether Alisea grandis should be recognized as a distinct species. Not much more is known about it.