Skip to Content

A New Look at Carboniferous Rhizodontid Humeri (Sarcopterygii Project ID: 00000C986 Public
0 Media ยท Managed by: Zerina Johanson

The Rhizodontida are a group of tetrapodomorph sarcopterygian fishes with a worldwide distribution in the Devonian and Carboniferous periods. Rhizodontids were first described in the United Kingdom, with Carboniferous taxa such as Rhizodus, Strepsodus and Archichthys based on isolated teeth (probably symphysial tusks) with distinctive morphologies. Some isolated fin material has also been described, including humeri, but this material has generally been assigned to either Rhizodus or Strepsodus on the basis of its size (with the larger material assigned to Rhizodus) or lithology (with specimens in coalshale assigned to Strepsodus). As a first step towards resolving this situation, we have utilized micro-CT scans of UK rhizodontid humeri, including newly discovered specimens from Scotland, to establish four distinct humeral morphogroups. This provides a robust framework for interpreting future discoveries, with the hope that these morphogroups can ultimately be securely linked with the tooth morphologies. The histology of the endochondral bone of the rhizodontid humerus is also described for the first time.

No records found.