Brachythoraci Explained

Brachythoraci is an extinct suborder of arthrodire placoderms, armored fish most diverse during the Devonian.

Phylogeny

Arthrodira is divided into three main groups: the paraphyletic Actinolepida and Phlyctaenii, and then the monophyletic Brachythoraci. Brachythoraci is then further divided into the large derived clade Eubrachythoraci and several basal groups: Buchanosteoidea, Homosteidae, and Holonematidae.^[1] (Although Holonematidae's membership in Brachythoraci is disputed.)^[2]

Below is a cladogram from the 2016 Zhu et al. phylogenetic study:^[2]

Notes and References

1. You-An Zhu . Min Zhu . A redescription of Kiangyousteus yohii (Arthrodira: Eubrachythoraci) from the Middle Devonian of China, with remarks on the systematics of the Eubrachythoraci . . 169 . 4 . 798–819 . 2013 . 10.1111/zoj12089 .
2. Zhu . You-An . Zhu . Min . Wang . Jun-Qing . 1 April 2016 . Redescription of Yinostius major (Arthrodira: Heterostiidae) from the Lower Devonian of China, and the interrelationships of Brachythoraci . . 176 . 4 . 806–834 . 10.1111/zoj.12356. 0024-4082 . free .