Genus: Dirqadin GAFFNEY, TONG & MEYLAN, 2006
Etymology: Arabic, dir, "armor" and Arabic, qadim, "ancient."

Species: schaefferi GAFFNEY, TONG & MEYLAN, 2006
Etymology: In honor of Dr. Bobb Schaeffer (1913-2004), former Curator of Fossil Fishes at the Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History, and close friend and mentor of the Senior author.

Holotype: MDEt 41

Locality: Kem Kem Reigon, Easern Morocco.

Horizon: Kem Kem Beds.

Biostratigraphy:

Age: Cenomanian Stage, Uppermiddle Gallic Subepoch, Lowermost Gulf Epoch, Middle Cretaceous.

Material: A nearly complete skull.

Referred material:

AMNH 30038: Skull lacking anterior half.