Cranial anatomy of two new Late Devonian lungfishes (Pisces: Dipnoi) from Mount Howitt, Victoria

Abstract

Two new lungfishes are described from the Frasnian lacustrine sediments near Mount Howitt, eastern Victoria. Howidipterus donnae n.gen., n.sp. has toothplates with well-developed marginal teeth, and has a skull roof pattern similar to Scaumenacia but with a D bone present and large paired rostral bones anterior to the E bones. The cheek has moderately deep infraorbitals. The scales have a coarse ornament with widely spaced ridges. Barwickia downunda n.gen., n.sp. has a skull roof pattern characterised by a narrow, small D bone, narrow E bones as long as the C bones, and I bones which are indented well into the rear of the B bone and on occasion may contact each other. The dentition is denticulate as in Fleurantia. The cheek has a narrow, bar-like bone 6 + 7. The scales of Barwickia are finely ornamented.