Iniopterygiformes

Iniopterygiansis an extinct family of sharks that lived during the Carboniferous period (345-280 million years ago). Fossils of them have been found in Montana, Indiana, Illinois, and Nebraska. The Iniopterygians had wing-like projections on their backs, similar to those of the flying fish of today. Iniopterygian sharks were small; their average length was about 1.5 feet (45 cm.).

Iniopterygians are classified in the order Iniopterygiformes, which includes the family Sibyrhinchidae. Members of this family include Sibyrhinchus denisoni, Inioptera richardsoni, and Inioxyele. Iniopteryx rushlaui is an Iniopterygian shark species that has not yet been assigned to a specific family.