Chirodipterus is an extinct
genus of marine
lungfish which lived during the
Devonian period.[1] Fossils have been found worldwide, including Germany, China, eastern & western Australia, and the United States (
Michigan). However, it has been suggested that the genus as currently defined is
polyphyletic, in which case only the German
type species (C. wildungensis) would belong to the genus.[2][3]
†'C.'rhenanus Mors, 1991 - Givetian of the
Rhenish Massif, Germany[7]
†C. wildungensisGross, 1933 - Late Devonian of
Wildungen, Germany
Tooth plate of 'C.' rhenanusFossil skull of 'C.' onawayensis
The former species C. paddyensis is now placed in the genus Gogodipterus.[8] It has been suggested that the type species (C. wildungensis), is most closely related to Rhinodipterus, whereas 'C.' australis and 'C.' liangchengi are related to Pillararhynchus and Sorbitorhynchus.[2]
^Miles, R. S. (1977). "Dipnoan (lungfish) skulls and the relationships of the group: a study based on new species from the Devonian of Australia". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 61 (1–3): 1–328.
doi:
10.1111/j.1096-3642.1977.tb01031.x.
ISSN0024-4082.