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Transcript

Morphology

Classified as

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Pleuronectiformes

Genus: Amphistium

Living the Eocene Epoch (66 Million years ago) was a primitive pleuronectiforme known as an Amphistium

Matt Friedman is credited with the the discovery of this species

# 1: Ossification of the Skull

#2: Size

Phylogeny

Unique Traits

  • Skull is asymmetrical
  • Orbits of the eye remain on opposite sides of the dorsal midline
  • Lack a pseudomesial bar
  • Bear fin spines in both anal and dorsal fins

Shared Traits

  • Extensive first dorsal fin
  • Curved neural spines in the abdominal region
  • Displaced orbits

Evidence

The Amphistium branches from the Pleuronectiformes which contains living flatfish

Evolutionary Advantage

The Amphistium propped itself up off the seafloor using its downward facing dorsal and anal fins

This was used for ambushing prey

Conclusion

What differences do you see?

The Amphistium is one of the earliest members of the Pleuronectiforme lineage. They act as a link between symmetrical and asymmetrical fish which strengthens our knowledge on vertebrate radiation.

A Gap in Evolution

Goldfish vs Flatfish

During larval metamorphosis, one eye migrates to the other side producing an asymmetrical skull

How did they transition from asymmetric to a symmetrical skull?

Development of Pleuronectiformes larvae into adulthood

Amphistium:

Cassie Watts

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