Koharalepis Jarviki: 3D Fossil Data from Late Devonian Antarctica

A 671.2 KB DOCX file by Corinne L. Mensforth, updated in April 2026, presents new data on the sarcopterygian fish Koharalepis jarviki. The dataset includes updated descriptions of the holotype from the Late Devonian Aztec Siltstone formation in Mt Crean, Antarctica, elucidated via synchrotron and neutron tomography. New elements of the braincase, palate, mandible, and axial skeleton are revealed, and a partial braincase endocast provides insight into neural anatomy.

Use Cases

• Conducting phylogenetic analysis of tetrapodomorph fishes based on newly described anatomical characters.
• Studying 3D cranial and skeletal morphology based on synchrotron and neutron tomography data.
• Investigating neural anatomy and endocast structure based on the reconstructed braincase.
• Analyzing the biogeography and endemism of East Gondwanan canowindrid fishes based on the Antarctic specimen.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a rare, wholly 3D-preserved canowindrid specimen suitable for modern tomography.
• Analysis combines two advanced imaging techniques: synchrotron and neutron tomography.
• Provides new anatomical data on the braincase, palate, mandible, and axial skeleton.

Limitations

• Row count and column-level documentation are absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The dataset is a 671.2 KB DOCX file, indicating a limited scope focused on a single specimen's description.

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Non-invasive tomography (synchrotron and neutron) of a fossil specimen.

Time Range

Late Devonian

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-16 05:24:35

Geography

Mt Crean, Antarctica (Aztec Siltstone formation)