Ferganoceratodus Temporal range: | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Sarcopterygii |
Class: | Dipnoi |
Order: | Ceratodontiformes |
Genus: | † Ferganoceratodus Nessov & Kaznyshkin, 1985 |
Type species | |
†Ferganoceratodus jurassicus Kaznyshkin and Nessov, 1985 | |
Species | |
See text |
Ferganoceratodus (from Fergana + Ceratodus ) is a genus of prehistoric freshwater lungfish known from worldwide during the Mesozoic. Based on morphological evidence, it has either been recovered as a basal member of the Ceratodontiformes or to be the sister group of the Neoceratodontidae (containing the extant Australian lungfish). [1] [2]
Challands et al (2023) defined synapomorphies of the genus as being a pterygoid tooth plate with five to six ridges, a prearticular tooth plate with four to five ridges, three bones on the medial skull roof series, and two bones on the calvarium. Under this definition, the genus is significantly expanded. However, most of these placements are only tentative. [3]
The following species are currently classified in the genus. Many were formerly classified in Ptychoceratodus , Ceratodus , or other genera, but were reassigned to this genus in 2023: [4] [3] [5]
Potential remains have also been reported from the late Early Cretaceous (Albian) of Tunisia, the Triassic of Germany, and the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. [8]
Unusually, North America is the only continent to lack any records of Ferganoceratodus, despite the extremely wide geographic and stratigraphic range of the genus. It has been suggested that some of the potential " Ceratodus " species from North America may be members of Ferganoceratodus, or that Ferganoceratodus was excluded from North America by the similar but highly distinct Potamoceratodus lineage. [3]