Redescription of Gladbachus and phylogenetic implications

[Halichoeres]

The early sharklike fish Gladbachus is redescribed, which is important because it's one of very few animals from that part of the tree with preserved endoskeletons. Phylogenetic analysis finds it to be an 'acanthodian', or stem-chondrichthyan, which means it's equally related to chimeras and sharks, and more closely related to both than to other living fishes like you and me and a goldfish. Open access:

http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/285/1870/20172418?cpetoc

[ZoPteryx]

Very interesting!  I'm actually surprised more Devonian "sharks" don't get moved to a more basal position within chondrichthyans.

[Halichoeres]

Very interesting!  I'm actually surprised more Devonian "sharks" don't get moved to a more basal position within chondrichthyans.

I think as they get renewed scrutiny more of them will be. Certainly a lot of them have landed more on the holocephalan stem, like Cladoselache.