Scale morphology and specialized dorsal scales of a new teleosteomorph fish from the Aptian of West Gondwana
Scales of a new species of Teleosteomorpha from the continental Aptian of the south of South America are studied. These neopterygians are from the La Cantera Formation in central Argentina, and were previously identified as Pholidophoriformes. They present ganoid scales; most of them are rhombic wit...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pensoft Publishers
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Fossil Record |
| Online Access: | http://www.foss-rec.net/19/61/2016/fr-19-61-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | Scales of a new species of Teleosteomorpha from the continental Aptian of
the south of South America are studied. These neopterygians are from the La
Cantera Formation in central Argentina, and were previously identified as
Pholidophoriformes. They present ganoid scales; most of them are rhombic
with well-developed peg-and-socket articulations and possessing a smooth
surface. They have a straight posterior margin, but occasionally, some
scales of the flank have a sinuous posterior margin with one or two
serrations. The shape of the scales varies along the body from large,
rectangular and deeper than long scales behind the head to the preanal
region to smaller and rhomboidal scales in the caudal region. There are a
few horizontal rows along the flank and about 32 lateral line scales. Thick,
round ganoid scales are present in the prepelvic region close to the ventral
margin. The round and rhombic scales present growth lines, which form
concentric ridges on the external side. A characteristic row of deep scales
forms the dorsal margin on each side of the body; a row of median ridge
scales is not present. This is a unique feature of the studied fishes.
Scutes covered with unornamented ganoine precede the pelvic, dorsal, and
anal fins, as well as the dorsal and ventral margins of the caudal fin. The
posterior margin of the dorsal lobe of the caudal fin is formed by a single
line of scales, which continues and covers the base of the first principal
caudal ray. Histological studies reveal a lepisosteoid-scale type with
multiple ganoine layers, lack of dentine, and the presence of canaliculi of
Williamson. The macro- and micromorphology of the scales shows features that
are found in other teleosteomorphs, but also in other neopterygians. |
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| ISSN: | 2193-0066 2193-0074 |