A New Genus of Lungfish from the Givetian (Middle Devonian) of Central Australia

Abstract

A new Dipterus−like lungfish, Harajicadipterus youngi, is described from the Givetian (Middle Devonian) Harajica Sand− stone Member of central Australia. The material is comprised of five specimens representing the skull roof, orbital bones, tooth plates, operculo−gular bones, a partial pectoral girdle, centra and scales. Harajicadipterus can be distinguished from other dipnoans by its long postorbital cheek, broad B bone, lack of contact between E and C bones, and radiating tooth rows with some denticles evident between the rows. Results of a cladistic analysis of 81 characters for 33 dipnoan taxa resolved Harajicadipterus below the holodontid clade but as more derived than Dipterus and the chirodipterid clade. Show more