SENSU MILES & DENNIS, 1979

Carr, Robert K. & Hlavin, William J., 2010, Two new species of Dunkleosteus Lehman, 1956, from the Ohio Shale Formation (USA, Famennian) and the Kettle Point Formation (Canada, Upper Devonian), and a cladistic analysis of the Eubrachythoraci (Placodermi, Arthrodira), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 159 (1), pp. 195-222 : 215

(ASPINOTHORACIDI SENSU MILES & DENNIS, 1979 )

The Aspinothoracidi (node 8; Fig. 9 ) are characterized by: (1) the development of a concave posterior nuchal border (character 11, state 2), associated with an enlarged nuchal gap; (2) the enlargement of the orbits, with a shift of the anterior triple point (PrO/ PtO/C plate junction) to a position over the orbit (character 28, state 2; character 33, state 1), and posterior rotation of the postorbital branch of the infraorbital sensory line, thereby closing the angle between this sensory line groove and that of the otic branch of the infraorbital sensory line (character 75, state 2); (3) the loss or reduction of the dermal postorbital process (character 34, state 0); (4) the loss of the spinal plate (character 45, state 0); (5) the loss of dermal ornament (character 91, state 0); (6) the reduction of the lateral consolidated arch and transverse occipital thickening on the internal surface of the skull roof; (7) the reduction of the nuchal pits and a rotation of these pits to open posteriorly; and (8) the separation of the nuchal pits by a median septum that is continuous with the posterior process of the nuchal plate (character 97, state 1, ambiguous because of missing data). The families sharing the loss of the spinal plate include the Leiosteidae , Trematosteidae , Selenosteidae , Titanichthyidae , Bungartiidae , Leptosteidae , and possibly Brachydeiridae , Mylostomatidae (clearly absent in Tafilalichthys , one member of the Mylostomatidae in which this region is well preserved), and Dinichthyidae (missing data). In the current analysis only Di. herzeri , Ha. rapax, He. gouldii , Gor. clarki , Gy. hydei , and Rhinosteus parvulus Jaekel, 1911 are considered as potential members of the Aspinothoracidi.

We do not attempt to evaluate critically the relationships among the Aspinothoracidi; although, the present results raise some questions concerning either the relationships of the Selenosteidae or their monophyly, as suggested by several authors ( Denison, 1978; Lelièvre et al., 1987; Carr, 1994, 1996). As noted by Carr (1994, 1996), a new analysis of the European taxa together with work presently in progress on poorly known or undescribed material from the Cleveland Shale is fundamental before a systematic revision of the Selenosteidae and related members in the Aspinothoracidi. However, an expressed goal of this study is achieved in demonstrating that Hadrosteus and Dinichthys are members of the Aspinothoracidi, and clearly distinct from the Dunkleosteidae .

Figures

Figure 9. A, strict consensus tree based on 98 characters and 23 taxa derived from PAUP* (consensus tree length, TL = 246; consistency index, CI = 0.498; retention index, RI = 0.502; and Rohlf’s CI = 0.708; consensus based on six trees, TL = 237, CI = 0.498, and RI = 0.537). B, strict consensus tree based on 98 characters and 22 taxa (excluding Kiangyousteus yohii, consensus TL = 237, CI = 0.498, RI = 0.535, and Rohlf’s CI = 0.993; consensus based on three trees, TL = 237, CI = 0.498, and RI = 0.535). Named nodes: node 1, Brachythoraci; node 4, Eubrachythoraci; node 5, Pachyosteomorphi; node 6, Coccosteomorphi; node 8, Aspinothoracidi; node 9, Dunkleosteus; node 10, Panxiosteidae; node 11, Dunkleosteidae; node 12, Dunkleosteoidea; and node 13, Dinichthyidae. *Character scores for Homostius compiled for the Baltic species sensu Heintz, 1934. **Scores based on Camuropiscis concinnus and Camuropiscis laidlawi.