Qilinyu

Qilinyu rostrata is a "maxillate" placoderm from the late Ludlow epoch of Qujing, Yunnan, 419 million years ago.[1]

Qilinyu
Temporal range: Late Ludlow
Artist's restoration
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Placodermi
Order: incertae sedis
Genus: Qilinyu
Zhu et al., 2016
Species:
Q. rostrata
Binomial name
Qilinyu rostrata
Zhu et al., 2016

Specimens 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."[1]

The researchers' cladistic diagram shows Q. rostrata as the sister taxon of Entelognathus, Janusiscus and the crown gnathostomes (i.e., bony and cartilaginous fishes and their descendants).[1]

Galeaspida

Osteostraci

Gnathostomata

Antiarchi

Brindabellaspis

Romundina

Gemuendina

Jagorina

Petalichthyida

Arthrodira

Ptyctodontida

Qilinyu

Entelognathus

Janusiscus

Eugnathostomata

Chondrichthyes

Osteichthyes

Evolutionary significance

Qilinyu rostrata, together with Entelognathus, demonstrates additional evidence that modern gnathostomes evolved from placoderms.[1][2]

References

  1. Zhu, Min, et al. "A Silurian maxillate placoderm illuminates jaw evolution." Science 354.6310 (2016): 334-336.
  2. Long, John A. "The first jaws." Science 354.6310 (2016): 280-281.


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