Eastmanosteus calliaspis is one of two fossil fish species in which ancient but well-preserved soft tissue has been found. The fossilized muscle cells, blood vessels, and nerve cells shed light on an important group of fish that were the evolutionary precursors of large land animals.Abstract: In this paper, we show exceptional three-dimensionally preserved fossilized muscle tissues in 380–384Myr old placoderm fish (Late Devonian), offering new morphological evidence supporting the hypothesis that placoderms are the sister group to all other gnathostomes. We describe the oldest soft tissue discovered in gnathostomes, which includes striated muscle fibres, circulatory and nerve tissues, preserved as phosphatized structures precipitated by microbial infilling of small, protected areas under the headshield of the arthrodire, Eastmanosteus calliaspis. Muscle impressions have also been found in the ptyctodontid, Austroptyctodus gardineri. The specimens display primitive vertebrate muscle structures; in particular, shallow W-shaped muscle blocks such as those observed in lampreys. New information from fossilized soft tissues thus elucidates the affinities of the placoderms and provides new insights into the evolution and radiation of gnathostomes.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Fossilized Muscles of Devonian Placoderms
Exceptional preservation of nerve and muscle tissues in Late Devonian placoderm fish and their evolutionary implications. 2007. K. Trinajstic et al. Biology Letters, Early Online Publishing.
