| Rhinodipterus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Dipnoi |
| Genus: | † Rhinodipterus Gross, 1956 |
Rhinodipterus is an extinct genus of prehistoric dipnoan sarcopterygians or lobe-finned fish, that lived in the Frasnian stage of the Devonian period. It is believed to have inhabited shallow, salt-water reefs, [1] and is one of the earliest known examples of marine lungfish.
Research based on an exceptionally well-preserved specimen from the Gogo Formation of Australia [2] has shown that Rhinodipterus has cranial ribs attached to its braincase and was probably adapted for air-breathing to some degree as living lungfish are. [3] This could be the only case known for a marine lungfish with air-breathing adaptations. [4]
The jaws of Rhinodipterus were well adapted for resisting high stresses, indicating that it had a powerful bite despite its elongated, gracile snout. [5]
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