Systematics of the family Lycopteridae

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This paper is a systematic revision and discussion of the origin and relationships of the lycopterid fishes which are widely distributed and endemic to Early Cretaceous lacustrine deposits of central and eastern Asia. Samples of populations studied total 600 specimens from eight localities. Specific conclusions, based on critical evaluation of meristic characters and quantitative analysis of various body proportions, synonymize the genera Sungarichthys Takai (1943) and Asiatolepis Takai (1943) with Lycoptera MUller (1848) and recognize only two valid Lycoptera species — L. middendorff ii Muller (1848) and L. fragilis Hussakof (1932). The genus Manchurichthys Saito (1936) is retained as a distinct member of the family Lycopteridae. In addition, Anaethalion langshanensis Su Te-Tsao (1963) for which the new generic term Sinolycoptera is coined and the previously presumed chirocentrid Mesoclupea Ping and Yen (1933) are assigned to the group. In systematic practice a vertical classification and phyletic interpretation of the groups of Mesozoic fishes transitional in morphologic development between the holostean and teleostean levels of organization is favored. The lycopterids are considered more closely related to the leptolepids than to the pholidophorids by virtue of the jaw mechanism, cycloid scales, vertebral ossification and display of intermuscular bones but less advanced toward the teleostean level than the younger forms assigned to Leptolepis. Attention is called to a possible derivation from the Jurassic freshwater fish from Siberia Baleiichthys Rohon (1890) and greater structural similarities to the osteoglossids than to the cyprinid fishes. — D. H. Dunkle.

This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit: