Neopetalichthys yenmenpaensis is an extinct petalichthid placoderm from the Early Devonian of China.

Neopetalichthys
Temporal range: Emsian
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
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Genus:
Neopetalichthys
Species:
N. yenmenpaensis
Binomial name
Neopetalichthys yenmenpaensis
Liu, 1973

Fossils

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The holotype and only known specimen is a poorly preserved partial, and elongated skull from Emsian-aged strata in Sichuan. The skull may be around 8.5 cm (3.3 in) in length.[1]

Phylogeny

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Denison 1978 questions Neopetalichthys' placement within Petalichthyida, regarding it as Placodermi incertae sedis, though he does acknowledge that the skull has anatomical features in common with petalichthyids.[1]). According to Zhu's 1991 redescription of Diandongpetalichthys,[2] Neopetalichthys' status as a petalichthyid is confirmed, though, in that study, it is regarded as a basal incertae sedis.[3]

Quasipetalichthys is possibly closely related to Neopetalichthys, and may or may not be placed together within Quasipetalichthyidae.

References

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  1. ^ a b Denison, Robert (1978). Placodermi Volume 2 of Handbook of Paleoichthyology'. Stuttgart New York: Gustav Fischer Verlag. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-89574-027-4.
  2. ^ Zhu, M. "New information on Diandongpetalichthys (Placodermi: Petalichthyida)." Early vertebrates and related problems of evolutionary biology. Science Press, Beijing (1991): 179-192.
  3. ^ Zhu, Min & Wang, Junqing (October 1996). "A NEW MACROPETALICHTHYID FROM CHINA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF THE MACROPETALICHTHYIDAE (PLACODERMI)" (PDF). Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 34 (4): 253–268.