Authors: TURNER, SUSAN¹; BURROW, CAROLE J.²; WARREN, ANNE³

Source: Palaeontology, Volume 48, Number 5, September 2005 , pp. 963-1006(44)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

:

A new species of Gyracanthides from the mid-Viséan Ducabrook Formation of Middle Paddock site, near Springsure in the Drummond Basin, central Queensland, is based on isolated three-dimensionally preserved elements. The specimens comprise paired and unpaired spines and pectoral girdle elements, procoracoids and scapulocoracoids, and include growth series. The morphology, especially of the shoulder girdle bones and the form and tubercular ornamentation of the paired fin spines, is used to distinguish the new taxon. These characters also help differentiate the numerous described gyracanthid species. Aspects of palaeobiology including possible sexual dimorphism are explored. A hypothetical reconstruction of the fish is based on our interpretation of the articulation of isolated elements combined with examination of wear patterns on fin spines. Gyracanthides hawkinsi sp. nov. is compared with other Australian taxa as well as with gyracanthids from North America, Europe, Russia, Iran, Africa and Antarctica, some of which are tentatively reassigned here to the Gondwanan genus Gyracanthides.

Keywords: Mississippian; Viséan; Acanthodii; gyracanthid; fin spines; shoulder girdle

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2005.00479.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Geosciences, Box 28E, Monash University, Victoria 3800, and Queensland Museum, 122 Gerler Road, Hendra, Queensland 4011, Australia;, Email: sue.turner@qm.qld.gov.au 2: Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia 3: Department of Zoology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia

Publication date: 2005-09-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Geology
• By this author: TURNER, SUSAN ;  BURROW, CAROLE J. ;  WARREN, ANNE

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers