Neopetalichthys Temporal range:
Emsian
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Genus: | Neopetalichthys
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Species: | N. yenmenpaensis
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Binomial name | |
Neopetalichthys yenmenpaensis Liu, 1973
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Neopetalichthys yenmenpaensis is an extinct petalichthid placoderm from the Early Devonian of China.
The holotype and only known specimen is a poorly preserved partial, and elongated skull from Emsian-aged strata in Sichuan. The skull may be around 8.5 cm (3.3 in) in length. [1]
Denison 1978 questions Neopetalichthys' placement within Petalichthyida, regarding it as Placodermi incertae sedis, though he does acknowledge that the skull has anatomical features in common with petalichthyids. [1]). According to Zhu's 1991 redescription of Diandongpetalichthys, [2] Neopetalichthys' status as a petalichthyid is confirmed, though, in that study, it is regarded as a basal incertae sedis. [3]
Quasipetalichthys is possibly closely related to Neopetalichthys, and may or may not be placed together within Quasipetalichthyidae.