PANDERICHTHYIDS. A NEW ORDER OF PALEOZOIC CROSSOPTERYGIAN FISHES (RHIPIDISTIA)

Abstract

With the composition of the Paleozoic crossopterygian fishes, the Rhipidistia, three orders are now distinguished: the Osteolepidida and Rhizodontida, On the basis of an analysis of these materials and a comparison of Panderichthys with Elpistostege watsoni Westoll from the Devonian of Canada, The authors concluded that the family Panderichtyidae must be separated from the order Osteolepidida and elevated to the rank of an independent order, the Panderichtyida. This order may be regarded as the sister group of the Tetrapoda. The diagnosis and composition of the new order are given in this paper.