Paredestus

Paredestus Temporal range: Triassic (Olenekian), 251.3–247.2 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Illustration of the lower symphyseal tooth whorl of the holotype. Missing or obscured portions of the crowns and root are represented by dashed lines
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Holocephali
Order:	†Eugeneodontida
Clade:	†Edestoidea
Genus:	†Paredestus Mutter and Neuman, 2008
Species:	†P. bricircum
Binomial name
†Paredestus bricircum Mutter and Neuman, 2008

Paredestus (meaning "near Edestus")^[1] is a monotypic genus of extinct eugeneodont holocephalan from the Early Triassic of Canada. The type and only species, P. bricircum ('short wheel')^[1] represents the last known member of the superfamily Edestoidea and among the last known eugeneodonts. It was named in 2008 based on tooth and jaw material, with the holotype representing the only known specimen.

Paredestus is known from a partial skull preserving part of the lower symphyseal tooth whorl, remains of surrounding pavement teeth and what may represent additional large mesially positioned teeth, as well as dermal denticles and remains of the upper dentition. The tooth crowns of the whorl are described as decreasing in size anteriorly, with the largest of the broad, blade-like crowns sitting towards the back of the mouth. Weathering of the fossil makes it difficult to determine the precise anatomy of the teeth, but their appearance is most similar to that of edestids, which this genus may be a member of. Like other eugeneodontids, it was a marine predator.