Qilinyu

Qilinyu rostrata is a "maxillate" placoderm from the late Ludlow epoch of Qujing, Yunnan, 419 million years ago.[1]

Qilinyu
Temporal range: Late Ludlow
Artist's restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Placodermi
Order: incertae sedis
Genus: Qilinyu
Zhu et al., 2016
Species:
Q. rostrata
Binomial name
Qilinyu rostrata
Zhu et al., 2016

Specimens and taxonomy

The holotype and paratype of Q. rostrata are two exquisitely preserved specimens both featuring a domed cranium and a curved rostrum presenting a "dolphin-like profile."[1]

The researchers' cladistic diagram shows Q. rostrata as the sister taxon of Entelognathus, Janusiscus and the crown gnathostomes (i.e., bony and cartilaginous fishes and their descendants).[1]

Galeaspida

Osteostraci

Gnathostomata

Antiarchi

Petalichthyida

Arthrodira

Ptyctodontida

Qilinyu

Entelognathus

Janusiscus

Eugnathostomata

Chondrichthyes

Osteichthyes

Evolutionary significance

Qilinyu rostrata, together with Entelognathus, demonstrates additional evidence that modern gnathostomes evolved from placoderms.[1][2]

References

  1. Zhu, Min, et al. "A Silurian maxillate placoderm illuminates jaw evolution." Science 354.6310 (2016): 334-336.
  2. Long, John A. "The first jaws." Science 354.6310 (2016): 280-281.


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