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| Histology of the first fish |
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| Author(s): Smith MP, Sansom IJ, Repetski JE |
| Source: NATURE Volume: 380 Issue: 6576 Pages: 702-704 Published: APR 25 1996 |
| Times Cited: 31 References: 27 |
| Abstract: THE first description of Anatolepis Bockelie & Fortey was from early Ordovician sediments of Ny Friesland, Spitsbergen(1,2), but the genus is now known from many localities in North America and Greenland, ranging in age hom the Late Cambrian period to the Early Ordovician(3-6). Although initially interpreted as an agnathan fish(2,3) that predated other representatives(7), this has been widely disputed because the available histological data were unconvincing(6,8-10) and the scales fell outside the known morphological range of other accepted early vertebrates(9-11). Further doubt was cast upon the vertebrate affinity of Anatolepis when specimens from East Greenland were interpreted as the cuticular fragments of aglaspid arthropods(6), although this interpretation has also been refuted(12). Here we report on the morphology and histology of large collections of Anatolepis, and demonstrate the presence of dentine, a tissue unique to vertebrates, confirming that the taxon is both a vertebrate and the oldest known fish. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Smith, MP (reprint author), UNIV BIRMINGHAM, SCH EARTH SCI, BIRMINGHAM B15 2TT, W MIDLANDS ENGLAND |
Addresses:
1. US GEOL SURVEY, NATL CTR, RESTON, VA 22092 USA |
| Publisher: MACMILLAN MAGAZINES LTD, 4 LITTLE ESSEX STREET, LONDON, ENGLAND WC2R 3LF |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: UG827 |
| ISSN: 0028-0836 |
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