Devonian Fish Fossil Remains from the Billiluna Knobby Sandstone

Fragmentary fossil remains of Devonian fishes from the Knobby Sandstone in the eastern Canning Basin, Western Australia. The Australian Ocean Data Network published this record, which includes descriptions of antiarch placoderms, rhipidistian teeth, and associated plant remains. The data was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Classify fossil types (e.g., Bothriolepis species, asterolepidoid plates, rhipidistian teeth) based on morphological descriptions for taxonomic studies.
• Correlate the Famennian-age fauna with other Late Devonian vertebrate assemblages using described fossil features and stratigraphic context.
• Analyze depositional environment energy levels using described preservation states (moulds in coarse sandstone) and associated fragmentary remains.
• Study paleoecology by linking described fish fauna with co-occurring plant remains like Leptophloeum australe.

Strengths

• Includes descriptions of multiple fossil types (antiarchs, placoderm fragments, teeth, scales, plant remains).
• Provides specific geological context: the Knobby Sandstone formation in the eastern Canning Basin.

Limitations

• Data is fragmentary, as noted in the description, limiting detailed morphological analysis.
• The primary data format is descriptive text (PDF/HTML), lacking structured, quantitative measurements.
• Temporal assignment (Late Devonian, Famennian) is provisional, requiring better material for precise correlation.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Descriptive study of fossil specimens preserved as moulds in sandstone.

Time Range

Late Devonian (Famennian age).

Freshness

Record was updated in April 2026.

Geography

Billiluna, eastern Canning Basin, Western Australia.