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Ferruaspis
''Ferruaspis'' (from Latin ''ferrum'', meaning "iron", referencing its preservation in goethite, and Greek ''aspis'', meaning "shield", a common suffix for fossil fish genera) is an extinct genus of freshwater osmeriform ray-finned fish from the Miocene of Australia. It contains a single species, ''F. brocksi'', and is the only member of the family Ferruaspidae. It was closely related to the extant Southern Hemisphere smelts in the family Retropinnidae. It is named after professor Jochen Brocks of the Australian National University.'''' ''Ferruaspis'' is known from extraordinarily well-preserved specimens recovered from the McGraths Flat lagerstätte of New South Wales. These specimens provide a highly detailed glimpse into its life history, ecology, and physical appearance. Aside from an indeterminate percomorph fish, it is the only fish known from this site. Description ''Ferruaspis'' specimens are unique for having poorly-preserved hard tissues (with the otoliths missing ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Retropinnidae
The Retropinnidae are a family of bony fishes that contains the Southern Hemisphere smelts and graylings. They are the only members of the suborder Retropinnoidei. They are closely related to the northern smelts ( Osmeroidei), which they greatly resemble, but not to the northern graylings (''Thymallus''). Species from this family are only found in southeastern Australia and New Zealand, although a fossil otolith suggests that they may have also inhabited southern South America during the Neogene. Although a few species are partly marine, most inhabit fresh or brackish water. In the past, this family was allied with the galaxiids, with the latter also being treated as osmeriforms. However, more recent studies suggest that the galaxiids form their own order distinct from the osmeriforms. The following taxa are placed in this family: * Suborder Retropinnoidei ** Family † Ferruaspidae *** Genus †'' Ferruaspis'' ** Family Retropinnidae *** Genus ?†'' Navidadichthys'' *** Subf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
McGraths Flat
McGraths Flat is an Australian research site containing fossils and other evidence of animals and plants that existed in Miocene Australia. Located in central New South Wales, specimens at the site are in an exceptional state of preservation, described in paleontology as a Konservat-Lagerstätten, deposited in unusual conditions that record microscopic details of soft tissues and delicate structures. Fossil evidence of animals with soft bodies, unlike the bones of mammals and reptiles, is rare in Australia, and discoveries at McGraths' Flat have revealed unknown species of invertebrates such as insects and spiders. The site, named for its discoverer, occurs on private land near the town of Gulgong. The degree of preservation at this Lagerstätte has been compared to the quality of that found at Crato Formation, Lake Eckfeld, and Libros. Other fossil sites in Australia, such as Riversleigh World Heritage Area, Bullock Creek and Alcoota, are rich in the skeletal remains of Miocene faun ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |