Silurolepis platydorsalis is a species of Silurian-aged "maxillate"[1] early placoderm that has been described from (mostly) articulated remains. Although it has been known for several years, it was finally described by Zhang et al., in 2010.[2]

Silurolepis
Temporal range: Ludlow
restoration
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Placodermi
Order: incertae sedis
Family: Silurolepidae
Zhang et al., 2010
Genus: Silurolepis
Zhang et al., 2010
Species:
S. platydorsalis
Binomial name
Silurolepis platydorsalis
Zhang et al., 2010
The trunk armor of Silurolepis compared to other maxillate placoderms in dorsal view

S. platydorsalis was previously considered a basal antiarch, but a 2019 study instead recovers it as a maxillate placoderm most closely related to Qilinyu.[1]

S. platydorsalis is known from thoracic armor: as the specific name suggests, the dorsal side is very flat.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b You-an Zhu; Jing Lu; Min Zhu (2019). "Reappraisal of the Silurian placoderm Silurolepis and insights into the dermal neck joint evolution". Royal Society Open Science. 6 (9): 191181. Bibcode:2019RSOS....691181Z. doi:10.1098/rsos.191181. PMC 6774982. PMID 31598327.
  2. ^ a b Zhang, Guo-Rui; Shi-Tao Wang; Jun-Qing Wang; Nian-Zhong Wang; Min Zhu (2010). "A basal antiarch (placoderm fish) from the Silurian of Qujing, Yunnan, China". Palaeoworld. 19 (1–2): 129–135. doi:10.1016/j.palwor.2009.11.006.