Archipelepis Explained

Archipelepis is a genus of extinct thelodont agnathans, and are the most primitive recognized thelodonts of which whole body fossils are known.^[1] Fossils of bodies and scales are currently known from Late Telychian to Wenlock-aged marine strata of northern Canada.^[2]

Anatomy

Both species have similar body morphology, in that both resembled tadpoles with forked tails. Scale morphology differs in that A. bifurcata has forked scales with two prong-like spires, and that A. turbinata has bulbous, pointed scales that resemble upside-down spinning tops.

Notes and References

1. Wilson, Mark VH, and Tiiu Märss. "Thelodont phylogeny revisited, with inclusion of key scale-based taxa." Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences 58.4 (2009): 297œ310. http://eap.ee/public/Estonian_Journal_of_Earth_Sciences/2009/issue_4/earth-2009-4-297-310.pdf
2. Soehn, K. L., Märss, T., Caldwell, M. W. & Wilson, M. V. H., 2001: New and biostratigraphically useful thelodonts from the Silurian of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 21: 651-659 https://www.jstor.org/stable/20062005