Kingdom Animalia Class Placodermi Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order incertae sedis | |
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Genus Qilinyu
Zhu et al., 2016 Similar Entelognathus, Guiyu oneiros, Placodermi, Antiarchi, Galeaspida | ||
Qilinyu rostrata is a "maxillate" placoderm from the late Ludlow epoch of Qujing, Yunnan, 419 million years ago.
Contents
Specimen and taxonomy
The holotype and paratype of Q. rostrata are two exquisitely preserved specimens both featuring a domed cranium and a curved rostrum presenting a "dolphin-like profile."
The researchers' cladistic diagram show that Q. rostrata is the sister taxon of Entelognathus and all other crown gnathostomes (i.e., bony and cartilaginous fishes, and their descendants).
Evolutionary significance
Q. rostrata, together with Entelognathus, demonstrate additional irrefutable proof that modern gnathostomes evolved from arthrodire placoderms.
References
Qilinyu Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA