Megalichthyiformes is an extinct clade of basal tetrapodomorphs which first appeared during the Devonian period. It was named in 2010 by Michael I. Coates and Matt Friedman, who defined it as a stem-based taxon containing all tetrapodomorphs closer to Megalichthys than to Eusthenopteron.[1]

Megalichthyiformes
Temporal range: 396–273 Ma Middle Devonian to early Permian
Life restoration of Megalichthys hibberti
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Sarcopterygii
Clade: Tetrapodomorpha
Clade: Megalichthyiformes
Coates & Friedman, 2010
Subgroups

Below is a cladogram showing Megalichthyiformes modified from Swartz (2012).[2]

Megalichthyiformes

References

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  1. ^ Coates, M. I.; Friedman, M. (2010). "Litoptychus bryanti and characteristics of stem tetrapod neurocrania". In Elliott, D. K.; Maisey, J. G.; Yu, X.; Miao, D. (eds.). Morphology, Phylogeny and Paleobiogeography of Fossil Fishes. München: F. Pfeil. pp. 389–416. ISBN 978-3-89937-122-2.
  2. ^ Swartz, B. (2012). "A marine stem-tetrapod from the Devonian of Western North America". PLOS ONE. 7 (3): e33683. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...733683S. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033683. PMC 3308997. PMID 22448265.