Tristichopteridae

Tristichopteridae is a family of tetrapodomorphs from the Middle and Late Devonian. Some of them share some of the features of the elpistostegalians. The most well-known is probably Eusthenopteron.

Tristichopteridae
Temporal range: Middle - Late Devonian
Teeth of Platycephalichthys, in CosmoCaixa Barcelona
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Eotetrapodiformes
Family: †Tristichopteridae
Cope, 1889
Genera

See below

A classic notion is that Eusthenopteron was able to crawl onto land using its fins. However, no evidence believes this and is believed by many to be false.

Description

These fish were large, and some species could exceed three meters. The smallest forms (Tristichopterus) attained lengths of 30 cm, and the largest forms (Hyneria) could grow several meters long.

The pelvis had long, tapering pubic branches that met in a cartilaginous symphysis. The ventral fins contained the femur, tibia, and fibula. The lobed pectoral fins were usually robust. Tristichopterids had large, flat heads with sharp teeth.

Taxonomy
  • Cabonnichthys
  • Canningius
  • Edenopteron
  • Eusthenodon
  • Eusthenopteron
  • Heddleichthys
  • Hyneria
  • Jarvikina
  • Langlieria
  • Mandageria
  • Notorhizodon
  • Platycephalichthys
  • Tristichopterus

Some images

Here is a gallery of a few members of the Tristichopteridae:

Eusthenodon
Hyneria
Edenopteron
Eusthenopteron

References
    • Thomson, K. S. (1968). "A new Devonian fish (Crossopterygii: Rhipidistia) considered in relation to the origin of the Amphibia". Postilla. 124.
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