Rhinodipterus
Extinct genus of lobe-finned fish
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Rhinodipterus is an extinct genus of prehistoric dipnoan sarcopterygians or lobe-finned fish, that lived in the Frasnian stage of the Devonian period. It is believed to have inhabited shallow, salt-water reefs,[1] and is one of the earliest known examples of marine lungfish.
| Rhinodipterus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Dipnoi |
| Genus: | †Rhinodipterus Gross, 1956 |
Palaeobiology
Research based on an exceptionally well-preserved specimen from the Gogo Formation of Australia[2] has shown that Rhinodipterus has cranial ribs attached to its braincase and was probably adapted for air-breathing to some degree as living lungfish are.[3] This could be the only case known for a marine lungfish with air-breathing adaptations.[4]
The jaws of Rhinodipterus were well adapted for resisting high stresses, indicating that it had a powerful bite despite its elongated, gracile snout.[5]
