Skip to main content
Log in

The growth of the skull roof plates in Arabosteus variabilis (Acanthothoraci, Placodermi) from the Early Devonian Jauf Formation (Saudi Arabia): Preliminary results

  • Published:
Paleontological Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The skull roof growth of Arabosteus variabilis (Acanthothoraci), from the Pragian-Early Emsian of Saudi Arabia is studied on the basis of well-preserved growth lines on the dermal plates. A clear tendency towards growth in length, i.e. allometry in length, can be observed for all studied skull roof plates of Arabosteus variabilis as well as for the skull roof in general. Each studied plate displays particular growth shaping the skull roof according to its position in the skull roof pattern, e.g., the preorbital plate controls the shape of the part of the orbit and the nuchal plate retains the relative proportions in the skull roof during growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cloutier, R., The fossil record of fish ontogenies: insights into developmental patterns and processes, Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2010, vol. 21, pp. 400–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denison, R.H., Fishes of the devonian Holland Quarry Shale of Ohio, Fieldiana: Geology, 1960, vol. 11, no. 10, pp. 555–611.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dudley, A.F., Growth of the Kaufe floodplain, Zambia. Predicted effects of the Kaufe George Dam, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 1967, vol. 103, pp. 181–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabré, N.N. and Saint-Paul, U., Annulus formation on scales and seasonal growth of the central Amazonian anostomid Schizodon fasciatus, Journal of Fish Biology, 1998, vol. 53, pp. 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fahlbusch, K., Pteraspis dunensis Roemer. Eine Neubearbeitung Der Pteraspidenfunde (Agnathen) von Overath, Palaeontographica Abteilung A, 1957, vol. 108, pp. 1–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goujet, D., Placoderm interrelationships: a new interpretation, with a short review of placoderm classifications, Proceedings of the Linnean Society New South Wales, 1984, vol. 107, pp. 211–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goujet, D., Young, G.C., Interrelationships of placoderms revisited, Geobios, 1995, vol. 28, pp. 89–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goujet, D., Young, G.C., Placoderm anatomy and phylogeny: new insights, in Recent Advances in the Origin and Early Radiation of Vertebrates, Arratia, G., Wilson, M.V.H., and Cloutier, R., Eds., München: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, 2004, pp. 109–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, W., Über die älteste Arthrodiren-Gattung, Notizblatt des Hessischen Landesamtes für Bodenforschung zu Wiesbaden, 1958, vol. 86, pp. 7–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, T., A Comparison of the otolith and scale method of ageing, and growth of Sarotherodon mossambicus (Pisces: Cichlidae) in a impoundment in Venda (Southern Africa), South African Journal of Zoology, 1980, vol. 15, pp. 222–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, Z., The upper devonian fish Bothriolepis (Placodermi: Antiarchi) from near Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia, Records of the Australian Museum, 1998, vol. 50, pp. 315–348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimmel, C.B., Ullmann, B., Walker, C., Wilson, C., Cur-rey, M., Phillips, P.C., Bell, M.A., Postlethwait, J.H., and Cresko, W.A., Evolution and development of facial bone morphology in threespine sticklebacks, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2005, vol. 102, pp. 5791–5796.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lelièvre, H., Janjou, D., Halawani, M., Janvier, P., Al Muallem, M.S., Wynns, R., and Robelin, C., Nouveaux vertébrés (Placodermes, Acanthodiens, Chondrichthyens et Sarcopterygiens) de la Formation de Jauf (Dévonien Inférieur, Region de Al Huj, Arabie Saoudite), Comptes Rendus del’Académie des Sciences de Paris (série 2), 1994, vol. 319, no. 10, pp. 1247–1254.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, J.A. and Werdelin, L., A new Late Devonian bothriolepid (Placodermi, Antiarcha) from Victoria, with descriptions of other species from the state, Alcheringa, 1986, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 355–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mark-Kurik, E., Kimaspis, a new palaeacanthaspid from the Early Devonian of Central Asia, Eesti NSV Teaduste Akadeemia Toimetised, 1973, vol. 22, pp. 322–330.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Merona, B., Hecht, T., and Moreau, J., Croissance des poissons d’eau douce africains, in Biologie et Ecologie des Poissons d’Eau Douce Africains, Lévéque, C., Bruton, M., and Ssentongo, G.W., Eds., Paris: ORSTOM, 1988, pp. 191–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olive, S., Goujet, D., Lelièvre, H., and Janjou, D., A new placoderm fish (Acanthothoraci) from the Early Devonian Jauf Formation (Saudi Arabia), Geodiversitas, 2011, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 393–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ørvig, T., Description, with special reference to the dermal skeleton, of a new radotinid arthrodire from the Gedinnian of Arctic Canada, Problémes Actuels de Paléontologie: Evolution des Vertèbrés. Collogues Internationaux du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1975, vol. 218, pp. 41–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schultze, H.P., Juvenile specimens of Eusthenopteron foordi Whiteaves, 1881 (osteolepiform rhipidistian, Pisces) from the Late Devonian of Miguasha, Quebec, Canada, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 1984, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultze, H.P. and Bardack, D., Diversity and size changes in palaeonisciform fishes (Actinopterygii, Pisces) from the Pennsylvanian Mazon Creek Fauna, Illinois, USA, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 1987, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simkiss, K., Calcium metabolism of fish in relation to ageing, in The Ageing of Fish, Bagenal, T.B., Ed., England: Unwin Brothers Limited, 1974, pp. 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welcomme, R.L., Pesca Fluvial, FAO Documento Técnico de Pesca, 1992, vol. 262, pp. 1–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werdelin, L. and Long, J.A., Allometry in the placoderm Bothriolepis canadensis and its significance to antiarch evolution, Lethaia, 1986, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 161–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, E., Form and growth in Belgicaspis (Heterostraci), Palaeontographica Abteilung A, 1973, vol. 143, nos. 1–6, pp. 11–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, G.C., A new Early Devonian placoderm from New South Wales, Australia, with a discussion of placoderm phylogeny, Palaeontographica Abteilung A, 1980, vol. 167, nos. 1–3, pp. 10–76.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Olive.

Additional information

The article is published in the original.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Olive, S., Goujet, D., Lelièvre, H. et al. The growth of the skull roof plates in Arabosteus variabilis (Acanthothoraci, Placodermi) from the Early Devonian Jauf Formation (Saudi Arabia): Preliminary results. Paleontol. J. 48, 992–1002 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1134/S003103011409010X

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S003103011409010X

Keywords

Navigation