Biology:Acanthorhachis

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Short description: An extinct chondrichthyian genus

Acanthorhachis
Temporal range: Visean– Westphalian
Acanthorhachis spinatus.png
Scientific classification edit
Missing taxonomy template (fix): Incertae sedis/Chondrichthyes
Family: Listracanthidae
Genus: Acanthorhachis
Martill, Del Strother, & Gallien, 2013
Species:
A. spinatus
Binomial name
Acanthorhachis spinatus
(Bolton, 1896) Martill, Del Strother, & Gallien, 2013

Acanthorhachis is an enigmatic extinct genus of chondrichthyan from the Carboniferous period.[1] Its name is derived from the Greek word acanthos meaning "spine" and the Greek suffix for spine, -rhachis. This is due to the spine-like dermal denticles and their subsidiary spines, which coated the exterior of the animal. The authors who erected this genus suggested the common name "The Spiny Spined Shark." The type species Listracanthus spinatus was in 1896 named by Herbert Bolton.

It is closely related to Listracanthus. It differs from it in the size, structure, and distribution of dermal spines. It is currently monotypic, containing only the species A. spinatus. This shark is thus far only described from the British Isles. Acanthorhachis was first described from the Westphalian-aged lower coal measures of Yorkshire, England.[2] It occurs rarely in Viséan-aged Eyam Limestone of Derbyshire, England.[3]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q22102494 entry