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Aspects of the postcranial skeleton of the Lower Permian lungfish, Gnathorhiza

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2016

Walter W. Dalquest ,
M. John Kocurko  and
John V. Grimes
Walter W. Dalquest
Affiliation:
Departments of Biology and Geology, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308
M. John Kocurko
Affiliation:
Departments of Biology and Geology, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308
John V. Grimes
Affiliation:
Departments of Biology and Geology, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308
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Abstract

A newly discovered locality of aestivation burrow casts containing the lungfish, Gnathorhiza serrata, is reported from the early Permian Arroyo Formation of Wilbarger County, north-central Texas. Remains preserved in the burrow casts provide sections of mummified Gnathorhiza and new information about the postcranial skeleton of this fish. Scales of Gnathorhiza resemble those of the modern lungfishes such as Lepidosiren in their microanatomy. No traces of paddle-like pectoral or pelvic fins were found and paired fins of Gnathorhiza may have resembled those of Lepidosiren. The axial skeleton and median fins of Gnathorhiza seem to resemble those of Lepidosiren except that the tail area and caudal fin of Gnathorhiza were stout and strong rather than slender and tapering. Gnathorhiza, which aestivated tail-down in its burrow, may have required a stout tail for support.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 63 , Issue 6 , November 1989 , pp. 919 - 930
Copyright
Copyright © The Paleontological Society 

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