Rhinodipterus

Rhinodipterus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclass: Osteichthyes
Class: Sarcopterygii
Subclass: Dipnoi
Genus: Rhinodipterus

Rhinodipterus is an extinct genus of prehistoric dipnoan sarcopterygians or lobe-finned fish, that lived in the Devonian Period, between 416 and 359 million years ago. It is believed to have inhabited shallow, salt-water reefs,[1] and is one of the earliest known examples of marine lungfish. Research published in 2010 based on an exceptionally well-preserved specimen from the Gogo Formation of Australia[2] has shown that Rhinodipterus has cranial ribs attached to its braincase and was probably adapted for air-breathing to some degree. This could be the only case known for a marine lungfish with air-breathing adpatations.[3]

See also

References

  1. "375 million year old fossil found". 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
  2. Long & Trinajstic 2010
  3. "Air-breathing adaptation in a marine Devonian lungfish". 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
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