Holoptychius
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Holoptychius (from Template:Langx Script error: No such module "lang"., 'whole' and Template:Langx Script error: No such module "lang". 'fold')[1] is an extinct genus of porolepiform lobe-finned fish from the Middle Devonian to Carboniferous (Mississippian) periods. It is known from fossils worldwide. The genus was first described by Louis Agassiz in 1839.[2]
Description
Holoptychius was a streamlined predator about Script error: No such module "convert". long (though largest specimen could grow up to Script error: No such module "convert".), which fed on other bony fish. Its rounded scales and body form indicate that it could have swum quickly through the water to catch prey.[3][4] Similar to other rhipidistians, it had fang-like teeth on its palate in addition to smaller teeth on the jaws. Its asymmetrical tail sported a caudal fin on its lower end. To compensate for the downward push caused by this fin placement, the pectoral fins of Holoptychius were placed high on the body.
Species
Of the genus Holoptychius the following species have been described:[2]
- H. americanus
- H. andersoni
- H. bergmanni (Downs et al, 2013) from the Frasnian-aged Fram Formation of Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada[5]
- H. flemingi
- H. giganteus
- H. halli
- H. hopkinsii
- H. nobilissimus
- H. quebecensisScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
- H. sp. indet. from the Kennebecasis Formation of New Brunswick, Canada.[6]
- H. sp. indet. from the Cuche Formation of Colombia, known from an isolated tooth (UN-DG-PALV86) and preserved scales (UN-DG-PALV50-51).[7]
Distribution
Fossils of Holoptychius have been found in the Mississippian of the United Kingdom and the Devonian of Belgium, Colombia (Cuche Formation, Boyacá),[8][7] Norway, Canada,[5][6] the Russian Federation, and the United States (Pennsylvania).[9]
Palaeoecology
Isotopic analysis of Holoptychius remains from Greenland reveals that it was likely a euryhaline organism.[10]
Gallery
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H. andersoni
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Life restoration of Holoptychius sp.
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H. nobilissimus and scale
References
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- ↑ a b Species HoloptychiusScript error: No such module "Unsubst".
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- ↑ a b Downs, Jason P.; Daeschler, Edward B.; Jenkins, Farish A.; Shubin, Neil H. (2013-03). "Holoptychius bergmannisp. nov. (Sarcopterygii, Porolepiformes) from the Upper Devonian of Nunavut, Canada, and a Review ofHoloptychiusTaxonomy". Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 162 (1): 47–59. doi:10.1635/053.162.0104. ISSN 0097-3157.
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Janvier & Villarroel, 1998
- ↑ Holoptychius at Fossilworks.org
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Bibliography
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Template:Sister-inline Template:Sarcopterygian genera Template:Taxonbar
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- Porolepiformes
- Late Devonian fish
- Carboniferous fish
- Devonian fish of Europe
- Devonian fish of North America
- Prehistoric fish of South America
- Devonian animals of South America
- Devonian Colombia
- Fossils of Colombia
- Fossil taxa described in 1839
- Taxa named by Louis Agassiz