A new genus of Late Cretaceous angel shark (Elasmobranchii; Squatinidae), with comments on squatinid phylogeny
Author
Maisey, John G.
Author
Ehret, Dana J.
Author
Denton, John S. S.
text
American Museum Novitates
2020
2020-06-16
2020
3954
1
1
https://bioone.org/journals/american-museum-novitates/volume-2020/issue-3954/3954.1/A-New-Genus-of-Late-Cretaceous-Angel-Shark-Elasmobranchii-Squatinidae/10.1206/3954.1.full
journal article
10.1206/3954.1
0003-0082
5355514
Cretasquatina
new genus
This published work has been registered in ZooBank, http://zoobank.org/
urn:lsid:zoobank. org:pub:
168DD149-4390-4E54-9382-8084F7C39180
.
DIAGNOSIS: Squatinid elasmobranch in which only the anteriormost two basiventrals of the vertebrae are expanded laterally. First basiventral process much broader distally than proximally, with rounded distal extremities and strongly recurved posterior borders surrounding the second basiventral and almost reaching the third centrum. Second basiventral process sharply angled posterolaterally, straight sided and slightly tapered distally. First vertebra with a vestigial anterior vertebral spool completely enclosed by the first basiventrals, notochordal canal does not reach anterior surface of first basiventral cartilage. Vertebral centra increase in width to centrum 5, then decrease in width. Palatoquadrate orbital process with smoothly rounded apex formed in tessellated cartilage and with a slight anterior projection on its anterolateral surface. Jaws smaller relative to the size of the occipital region than in other squatinids. Teeth unknown.
ETYMOLOGY: From the Latin
creta
(“chalk”) plus
squatina
(Latin, “skate”).