Revision of the early devonian psammosteids from the “placoderm sandstone”: Implications for their body shape reconstruction

Abstract

The Early Devonian psammosteid agnathans (Guerichosteus and Hariosteus) originally described by Tarlo (1964, 1965) from the so-called “Placoderm Sandstone” are revised. The newly collected material from the Holy Cross Mountains allows detailed reexamination and provides new anatomical information. The morphology and ornamentation of the plates supports the establishment of the genera Guerichosteus and Hariosteus. However, G. kotanskii, G. kulczyckii and G. lefeldi should be considered as junior synonyms of Guerichosteus kozlowskii. Hariosteus lobanowskii, erected by Tarlo (1964), is considered here as invalid (nomen dubium) and H. kotanskii is included with Hariosteus kielanae. The three-dimensional scanning of plates belonging to Guerichosteus allows for a more detailed description and reconstruction. In cross section the deep ventral part of the trunk is V-shaped in contrast to previous U-shaped restorations. Probably, the Early Devonian psammosteid, Drepanaspis gemuendenesis in particular, shared this body shape.