A New Hump-Backed Ginglymodian Fish (Neopterygii, Semionotiformes) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of Southeastern Utah

A new species of hump-backed semionotiform fish, Lophionotus sanjuanensis, gen et sp. nov., is described based on specimens recently and previously collected from the Upper Triassic Church Rock Member of the Chinle Formation of southeastern Utah. It is characterized by a deep body with a large postc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of vertebrate paleontology 2013-09, Vol.33 (5), p.1037-1050
Main Author: Gibson, Sarah Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal fins
Bones
Canals
Fish
Fish scales
Holotypes
Orbital bone
Skull
Taxa
Vertebrate paleontology
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Description
Summary:A new species of hump-backed semionotiform fish, Lophionotus sanjuanensis, gen et sp. nov., is described based on specimens recently and previously collected from the Upper Triassic Church Rock Member of the Chinle Formation of southeastern Utah. It is characterized by a deep body with a large postcranial hump, and dense tuberculation on the posterodorsal margin of the skull that continues into the dorsal ridge and dorsolateral flank scales. The vertical preoperculum bears a short and broad paddle-like ventral process. The infraorbital series expands ventral to the suborbital and contacts the anterior ramus of the preoperculum, although this character has also been observed in other deep-bodied semionotiform taxa. This taxon represents the first newly described semionotiform fish species from the western United States in over 45 years, and adds to knowledge of Triassic fishes biodiversity.
ISSN:0272-4634
1937-2809
DOI:10.1080/02724634.2013.758125