Bronson, A.W.; Pradel, A.; Denton, J.S.S.; Maisey, J.G.
range · taxonomy · topology · morphology · geochronology · biogeography · ecology
Primary description and CT-based phylogenetic study of the partial holotype AMNH FF 20509; the specimen supplies direct evidence for an endoskeletal operculum but not a complete body or clade-wide range.
The partial holotype AMNH FF 20509 of Cosmoselachus mehlingi from the Late Mississippian Fayetteville Shale preserves elongate rays from the hyoid and branchial arches fused into a corrugated operculum covering at least two posterior branchial arches.
claim:event:late-mississippian-cosmoselachus-operculumCosmoselachus mehlingi is a new symmoriiform chondrichthyan from the Late Mississippian, represented by the partial holotype AMNH FF 20509 and recovered in the cited analysis as a falcatid within Symmoriiformes.
claim:taxon:cosmoselachus:taxonomyCosmoselachus mehlingi is recorded from the Fayetteville Shale near Cove Creek in Searcy County, Arkansas, United States; this holotype locality does not establish a global distribution.
claim:taxon:cosmoselachus:biogeographyCosmoselachus preserves teeth, branchial arches and partial pectoral fins in a marine Fayetteville Shale setting, but prey, habitat preference, locomotor performance, body size and trophic guild remain unresolved from the partial holotype.
claim:taxon:cosmoselachus:ecologyCosmoselachus has small cladodont teeth in widely spaced families, scalloped Meckel cartilages, elongate fused pharyngeal rays forming an operculum and approximately fifteen to eighteen distal fin radials.
claim:taxon:cosmoselachus:morphologyThe displayed 326 Ma point is the Late Mississippian Fayetteville Shale holotype sample for Cosmoselachus mehlingi and is not a global species FAD, LAD, symmoriiform endpoint or complete range.
claim:taxon:cosmoselachus:fossil-range