Cervifurca nasuta n. gen. et sp.
Subtitle: an interesting member of the Iniopterygidae (Subterbranchialia, Chondrichthyes) from the Pennsylvanian of Indiana, U.S.A.
By: Rainer Zangerl --.
Contributors: Field Museum of Natural History.
Series: Fieldiana -- new ser., no. 35; Publication -- 1483; Publication (Field Museum of Natural History) -- 1483.
Publisher: Field Museum of Natural History
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Chicago, Ill
Subjects: Iniopterygidae -- Classification.; Chondrichthyes, Fossil -- Indiana.; Paleontology -- Pennsylvanian; Cervifurca nasuta -- Classification.
Other titles: Cervifurca nasuta, new Iniopterygid from Indiana
Description: A new member of the family Iniopterygidae from the Excello Shale (Carbondale Formation, Westphalian lower D, Pennsylvanian) of the Bethel Quarry, southern Pike County, Indiana, is described. This taxon is remarkable for its dorsoventrally flattened body habitus and probably (functionally) correlated enormous size of the pterygopodia, and for orbits that face dorsolaterad. The neurocranium is provided with very prominent nasal capsules, and the pelvic fins consist of a few very short and stout radials. Cervifurca nasuta was probably a member of the mobile benthos.