Original paper
Chimaeropsis paradoxa Zittel, 1887 (Myriacanthoidei, Holocephali) from the Late Jurassic of Solnhofen
Duffin, Christopher J.; Lauer, Bruce; Lauer, René
Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Abhandlungen Band 313 Heft 3 (2025), p. 245 - 272
49 references
published: Feb 16, 2025
published online: Jan 15, 2025
manuscript accepted: Dec 12, 2024
manuscript received: Oct 26, 2024
ArtNo. ESP155031303002, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Chimaeropsis paradoxa (Family Chimaeropsidae, Suborder Myriacanthoidei) is a particularly rare, poorly known holocephalian from the Tithonian (Late Jurassic) of the Solnhofen area. A holomorphic female specimen displaying soft parts and represented by both part and counterpart is described, permitting an initial reassessment of the relationships of the genus. C. paradoxa has a short rostrum, a skull that is around 25% of the total body length, the presence of five sets of cranial dermal plates, a tuberculated fin spine, scale-covered body and homocercal tail. Chimaeropsis is compared to the Plattenkalk chimaeroids Ischyodus egertoni and Elasmodectes avitus, and all other myriacanthoid genera.
Keywords
Solnhofen • Plattenkalk • Tithonian • Late Jurassic • Myriacanthoidei • Chimaeriformes • fossil species