Endocranial morphology of the petalichthyid placoderm Ellopetalichthys scheii from the Middle Devonian of Arctic Canada, with remarks on the inner ear and neck joint morphology of placoderms
File(s)Ellopetalichthys_CJES-AAV-Archive.pdf (1.95 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Castiello, Marco
Jerve, Anna
Burton, Maria Grace
Friedman, Matt
Brazeau, Martin
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Petalichthyid and “acanthothoracid” placoderms have taken pivotal positionsin the debate on placoderm—and, by extension, jawed vertebrate—relationships owing to perceived similarities with the jawless vertebrates. Neurocranial characters are integral to current hypotheses of early gnathostome relationships. Here, we describe the three-dimensionally preserved neurocranial anatomy of the petalichthyid placoderm Ellopetalichthys scheii, from the Middle Devonian (early Eifelian) of Ellesmere Island, Canada. Using X-ray computed microtomography, we generated three-dimensional reconstructions of the endocranial surfaces, orbital walls, and cranial endocavity. These reconstructions verify the absence of a crus commune of the skeletal labyrinth and the complex shape of the petalichthyid endolympathic duct. Details of the craniothoracic joint and occipital musculature fossae help resolve the problematic comparative anatomy of the occipital surface of petalichthyids. These new data highlight similarities with arthrodire placoderms, consistent with older hypotheses of a sister-31group relationship between petalichthyids and that clade.
Date Issued
2020-09-10
Date Acceptance
2020-06-12
Citation
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2020, 58 (1)
ISSN
0008-4077
Publisher
NRC Research Press
Journal / Book Title
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
Volume
58
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Canadian Science Publishing
Sponsor
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjes-2020-0005
Grant Number
311092
Subjects
04 Earth Sciences
Geology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-09-10