Dipterus
Encyclopedia
Dipterus is an extinct genus of lungfish
from the late Devonian
period of Australia and Europe.
In most respects, Dipterus, which was about 35 centimetres (13.8 in) long, closely resembled modern lungfish. Like its ancestor Dipnorhynchus
, it had tooth
-like plates on its palate
instead of real teeth. However, unlike its modern relatives, in which the dorsal
, caudal, and anal fin are fused into one, Dipteruss fins were still separated. It mostly ate invertebrates, and had lungs, not an air bladder. These were more developed in Dipterus and are still seen in modern day lungfish.
The genus was established by Adam Sedgwick
& Roderick Murchison
in the year 1828.
Lungfish
Lungfish are freshwater fish belonging to the Subclass Dipnoi. Lungfish are best known for retaining characteristics primitive within the Osteichthyes, including the ability to breathe air, and structures primitive within Sarcopterygii, including the presence of lobed fins with a well-developed...
from the late Devonian
Devonian
The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya , to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya...
period of Australia and Europe.
Dipnorhynchus
Dipnorhynchus is an extinct genus of lungfish from the middle Devonian period of Australia and Europe.Dipnorhynchus was a primitive lungfish, but still it had features that set it apart from other sarcopterygians. Its skull lacked the joint that divided the skull in two in rhipidists and...
, it had tooth
Tooth
Teeth are small, calcified, whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or for defensive purposes. The roots of teeth are embedded in the Mandible bone or the Maxillary bone and are...
-like plates on its palate
Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth in humans and other mammals. It separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. A similar structure is found in crocodilians, but, in most other tetrapods, the oral and nasal cavities are not truly separate. The palate is divided into two parts, the anterior...
instead of real teeth. However, unlike its modern relatives, in which the dorsal
Dorsal fin
A dorsal fin is a fin located on the backs of various unrelated marine and freshwater vertebrates, including most fishes, marine mammals , and the ichthyosaurs...
, caudal, and anal fin are fused into one, Dipteruss fins were still separated. It mostly ate invertebrates, and had lungs, not an air bladder. These were more developed in Dipterus and are still seen in modern day lungfish.
The genus was established by Adam Sedgwick
Adam Sedgwick
Adam Sedgwick was one of the founders of modern geology. He proposed the Devonian period of the geological timescale...
& Roderick Murchison
Roderick Murchison
Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, 1st Baronet KCB DCL FRS FRSE FLS PRGS PBA MRIA was a Scottish geologist who first described and investigated the Silurian system.-Early life and work:...
in the year 1828.