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Acanthorhachis, a new genus of shark from the Carboniferous (Westphalian) of Yorkshire, England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2013

DAVID M. MARTILL ,
PETER J. A. DEL STROTHER  and
FLORENCE GALLIEN
DAVID M. MARTILL*
Affiliation:
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, UK
PETER J. A. DEL STROTHER
Affiliation:
PJDS Consulting Ltd., Clitheroe BB12 7JA, UK
FLORENCE GALLIEN
Affiliation:
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, UK
*
†Author for correspondence: david.martill@port.ac.uk
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Abstract

An association of diverse hollow spines and dermal denticles (ichthyoliths) from the Carboniferous (Westphalian) of Todmorden, Yorkshire, England are attributed to a new genus of enigmatic shark that may lie close to Listracanthus Newberry & Worthen, 1870. Scanning electron microscopy shows that denticle morphology is highly variable, but forms a morphocline including elongate multi-spined elements as well as robust dome-like stellate denticles and recurved spinose elements. Histological analysis suggests an absence of enameloid. Continuous variation of form between elongate multi-cusped spines to boss-like circular denticles shows that all previously described Palaeozoic species of Listracanthus are probably junior synonyms of the type species L. hystrix Newberry & Worthen, 1870. The status of Listracanthus as a surviving ‘Lilliputian’ taxon after the Permian extinction is questioned. Although the new specimen has affinities with Listracanthus, significant differences in the form of the posterior spines on elongate denticles warrants its placement in the new genus Acanthorhachis gen. nov. The family Listracanthidae is erected to accommodate Listracanthus and Acanthorhachis.

Keywords

Acanthorhachis gen. nov.CarboniferousChondrichthyesdermal denticlesEngland
Type
Original Articles
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 151 , Issue 3 , May 2014 , pp. 517 - 533
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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