Rhinodipterus Explained

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.

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]

See also

• Sarcopterygii
• List of sarcopterygians
• List of prehistoric bony fish

References

• Clement, A. & Long, J.A. 2010. Air-breathing adaptation in a marine Devonian lungfish. Biology Letters 6: 509–512.
• Long, J.A. & Trinajstic, K. 2010. The Late Devonian Gogo Formation Lagerstatte –Exceptional preservation and Diversity in early Vertebrates. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 38: 665-680

External links

• Rhinodipterus at rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org

Notes and References

1. Web site: 375 million year old fossil found . 10 February 2010 . 17 February 2010 .
2. Long & Trinajstic 2010
3. Clement . A. M. . Long . J. A. . Tafforeau . P. . Ahlberg . P. E. . The dipnoan buccal pump reconstructed in 3D and implications for air breathing in Devonian lungfishes . . 11 February 2016 . 42 . 2 . 289–304 . 10.1017/pab.2015.41 . 2016Pbio...42..289C . 87484464 . subscription .
4. Web site: Air-breathing adaptation in a marine Devonian lungfish . 10 February 2010 . 1 March 2010 .
5. Bland . Joshua . Dutel . Hugo . Long . John A. . Fabbri . Matteo . Bevitt . Joseph . Trinajstic . Kate . Panagiotopoulou . Olga . Clement . Alice M. . 20 June 2025 . Comparison of diverse mandibular mechanics during biting in Devonian lungfishes . . en . 28 . 7 . 112970 . 10.1016/j.isci.2025.112970 . 12272925 . 40687803 . 8 November 2025 . Cell Press.