3.1. Dermal skull roof

The skull roof of Sagenodus is somewhat square and the bones form a slightly convex surface. The bones of Sagenodus are much less ornamented than those of Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013), and in most specimens the union between the cranial bones is less secure, although the posterior series are often found in articulation. In many articulated skulls, the ventral lappets that underlie the dermal skull roof are rarely seen. As in many dipnoans, there is a degree of intraspecific variation in the configuration of the skull roof, although Sagenodus seems to be the most consistent.

The most prominent element of the skull roof is the B-bone, the midline element, which lies at the posterior margin of the skull roof and bears the occipital sensory canal. There is no A-bone. Anterior to the B-bone lies the single C-bone. This five-sided element is highly characteristic of the genus, as is the shape of the contact it makes with its surrounding bones. In S. quinquecostatus, the C-bone is relatively wider and the B-bone relatively shorter than in S. inaequalis (Fig. 2). In other respects, the bone relationships are similar as far as can be judged. In front of the C-bone are the paired E-bones, and anterior to this lies the single unpaired F-bone. Lateral to this midline series are the paired I-, J-, and LM-bones. These are similarly large elements and, together, these bones form the majority of the skull roof area. Lateral to the E-bones lie the small N- and P-bones, which carry the supraorbital canal forwards onto the rostral mosaic. Lateral to the I-bone lies the Z-, Y-, and KX-bones. These bones form the lateral margins of the posterior part of the skull roof. The KX-bone bears a prominent notch laterally, continuous with the margin of the Y-bone, where it bears the operculum. A similar feature is seen in Limanichthys, where it occurs on the separate X-bone (Challands et al. Reference Challands, Smithson, Clack, Bennett, Marshall, Wallace-Johnson and ill2019). Anterior to the E-, N-, and P-bones is a series of small elongate bones, which do not conform to a conserved pattern. In those specimens that preserve them, they vary in shape, number, and arrangement; they are sometimes found united together, independent of the named skull roof bones, and are, therefore, termed the ‘prenasal bones' or rostral mosaic.

The circumorbital bones are poorly known from British deposits, although they have been described for the American species S. copeanus, and Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) claimed the genus had a smaller orbit than reconstructed by Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923). The following description of the skull roof of Sagenodus is based on data mainly from NMS G 1878.45.7 (Fig. 4a, b) and a number of others such as NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4c, d). Because Sagenodus is based only upon the cross section of a tooth plate of uncertain generic identity, we have applied to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to designate NMS G 1878.45.7 as the lectotype of the genus Sagenodus. This constitutes Case 3800 submitted to the Commission.

Figure 4

Sagenodus inaequalis skull specimens. (A, B) NMS G 1878.45.7 proposed neotype: (A) photograph of specimen in dorsal view; (B) interpretive drawing. (C, D) NMS G 1897.112.5: (C) photograph of specimen in dorsal view; (D) interpretive drawing. Scale bar=10mm.

The B-bone is the largest bone of the skull roof and its relative dominance makes it a unique characteristic of this genus. It is roughly rectangular in shape and the bone is constricted in three places: at its posterior point, around its mid-length, and anteriorly. This posterior constriction is less prominent in specimens of S. inaequalis than in S. copeanus. The anterior margin of the B-bone tapers into two curved prongs, and the concave anterior margin so formed could be a derived feature in dipnoans relating to the acquisition of a single C-bone. This is more obvious in NMS G 1878.45.7 (Fig. 4a, b) than in some other specimens (e.g., GNMHM G 60.99, Fig. 5a–d). The contact between the B-bone and C-bone is one of the more variable features within Sagenodus (e.g., Fig. 5e, f). The relative extent of the anterior part of the B-bone compared with the total length of the bone is also variable.

Figure 5

Sagenodus inaequalis skull specimens. (A–D) GNMHM 60.99 B-bone: (A) dorsal view; (B) interpretive drawing; (C) ventral view; (D) interpretive drawing. (E, F) GNMHM 60.91 skull roof: (E) dorsal view; (F) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: B.vl=ventral lappet of B-bone; l.oa=I-bone overlap; J.oa=J-bone overlap; LM.oa=LM bone overlap. Scale bars=10mm.

The posterior margin of the B-bone is gently convex, curves ventrally, and, in some specimens, there is evidence of an occipital flange projecting posteriorly from its ventral margin, although in NMS G 1878.45.7 (Fig. 4) it is somewhat damaged. The posterior region of the B-bone carries the occipital sensory line canal (occipital commissure of Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997). This is typically seen opening as pores on the posterior third of the surface of the B-bone. This is illustrated in Figure 5e, f, although the B-bone is often broken along the path of this canal, which, in some cases, is clearly visible. Pores or pits are often found at the centres of radiation of many bones, and some are probably related to lateral lines passing beneath. Parallel and sub-parallel grooves and ridges radiate from this position to the J- and I-bones, indicating direction of growth. There is considerable variation in the extent to which the path of the lateral line canals can be traced. As in all Palaeozoic dipnoans (Miles Reference Miles1977), the lateral line canals pass through the centre of ossification of the bone and then give rise to a network of tubules, which disseminate throughout the bone.

The B-bone is almost unique for bones of the skull roof in that it has been found isolated, allowing the visceral surface to be seen in relief. Figure 5a–d illustrates GNMHM G 60.99, which shows the visceral surface of the B-bone as significantly different in both shape and anterior extent to that seen from the dorsal surface of the bone. The anterior expansion of the visceral surface exceeds that of the dorsal surface and, laterally, the bone also occupies a slightly greater area. In addition, there are overlap areas at the antero- and posterolateral corners of the bone where the lappets of the adjacent bones such as the I-bone and LM-bone overlap with the B-bone.

It is in the anterior portion of the bone that the discrepancy in extent between dorsal and ventral surfaces is most obvious. The anterior third of the ventral surface of the bone is highly ridged and grooved (NMS G 1898.17.36, Fig. 6a). In those specimens that show an impression of the ventral surface of the skull roof, the suture between the B- and C-bones is very difficult to see clearly (Fig. 6b, c) because the degree of interdigitation is so tight.

Figure 6

Sagenodus inaequalis skull specimen. (A) NMS G. 1898.17.36, inner surface of skull roof. (B, C) NMS 1898.162.2.1: (B) impression of surface; (C) interpretive drawing of same. Scale bars=10mm.

Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) noted a trough in the mid-sagittal plane of the ventral surface of the B-bone of S. copeanus, which was bordered, to a greater or lesser extent, by two radiating ridges. This depression is also found in specimens of S. inaequalis and, as reported for the North American genus, its bounding ridges are of variable prominence and extent. GNMHM G 60.99 (Fig. 5a–d) has a subtle trough but no evidence of parasagittal ridges, whereas the impression of the skull roof seen in NMS G 1897.110.34 (not figured, ELS, pers. obs. 2006) suggests that the trough was more pronounced. Only in NMS G 1898.162.2.1 (Fig. 6b, c) are the sagittal ridges well developed. It seems likely that these troughs and ridges in life would have contacted the median cristae, by which the braincase would have been suspended from the ventral surface of the skull roof. This cannot be confirmed as the form of the braincase in most post-Devonian dipnoans is not known.

Anterior to the B-bone is the single median C-bone. In contrast with Ctenodus, this bone is unpaired in Sagenodus, a derived feature within the lungfishes. It is slightly larger than half the size of the B-bone and, where the E-bones are preserved, the C-bone is slightly longer. While the junction between the posterior and lateral margins is fairly smooth, that between the anterior and lateral margins is at a distinct angle. The lateral margins taper slightly posteriorly, meaning that the bone is broader anteriorly. Again, the overall shape of the bone in S. inaequalis does seem much more variable than that described for S. copeanus, some examples being more rounded in their proportions (Fig. 4c, d) while others are longer than they are broad (e.g., Fig. 4a, b). In keeping with the B-bone, the posterior margin of the C-bone is convex, although the degree of curvature varies. The anterolateral margin forms an obtuse angle and the anterior margin forms a similar angle, which nestles between the posteromedial margins of the paired E-bones.

There are pores visible at the centre of the C-bone in some specimens, as well as lines from the centre of radiation, which straddle the boundary between the B- and C-bones. The visceral surface of the bone is seen in NMS G. 1898.17.36 and NMS 1898.162.2.1 (Fig. 6). Although there is a tightly knit association between the B- and C-bone, the contact between the two bones is difficult to define in that view (Fig. 6). There is no sufficient evidence of the pit for the pineal organ described by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997).

The E-bones lie anterior and slightly lateral to the C-bone. Together, these paired elements occupy the same width of the skull roof as the single B-bone and are approximately five-sided, although the shape of the anterior margin is extremely variable. It is not common for the E-bones to be preserved. Only two specimens (Figs 6, 7) show them in articulation with the rest of the skull roof, although they are quite fragmentary. These paired bones meet in a straight line medially and then diverge posteriorly, as they are separated by the anterior portion of the C-bone. Both the posteromedial and posterolateral margins are fairly straight in dorsal view. The lateral margin has two embayments to receive, posteriorly, the N-bone and, anteriorly, the P-bone. The anterior margin also receives the ‘prenasal bones' of Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923, fig. 1, p. 164) and, centrally, the single F-bone. Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923, p. 167, fig. 3) illustrated an isolated bone that they considered as an E-bone (their ‘nasal'). The E-bones carry branches of accessory canals from the LM-bones; accessory branches also pass from the E-bone into the anterior prenasal bones (Fig. 4).

Anterior to the E-bones are the prenasal bones. Only one specimen has these bones in articulation with a partially complete skull roof (NMS 1878.45.7, Fig. 4a, b). Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923, p. 167, fig. 3) also illustrated what they considered to be isolated or partially isolated prenasal bones of Sagenodus from Newsham, although there is no way to associate these bones unequivocally with Sagenodus, because Ctenodus also occurs at this locality. The prenasal bones and the F-bone carry the supraorbital canal, evidenced by the presence of a series of sensory pores visible on the dorsal surface. They have been reported as being fused in some specimens (Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923) or replaced by a single bone in one specimen of S. copeanus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997).

The extent of these rostral bones can be quite large, as shown by a specimen of S. copeanus from the upper Pennsylvanian Hamilton Quarry in Kansas (Fig. 7). This specimen lacks the lateral bones of the skull roof, but it is clear that the skull has a considerable anterior extent, making it appear longer than it is wide, in contrast to square skull roof typically described for Sagenodus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997). Not only does the specimen illustrate the marginal N- and P-bones, but it also illustrates the crescentic O-bone, not known in S. inaequalis. In addition, it is clear that there are multiple rows of small elements present anterior to the E-bones, and that more than one row of these bones carries the sensory pores of the supraorbital canal.

Figure 7

Sagenodus copeanus skull roof. KUVP 103259 with bone lettering and numbering applied. Scale bar=10mm.

Lateral to the B-bones lie the paired I-bones (‘tabulars' of Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923). These are relatively large bones, smaller only than the B- and LM-bones (although in S. copeanus, the I-bones are consistently larger than the LM-bones). These elements form most of the posterior width of the skull roof and only the lateral corner of the posterior margin is occupied by bone Z. As with the B-bone, the I-bones also have a ventral occipital flange on the posterior margin of the skull, which articulates with the anocleithrum (‘tabular horns' of Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923). While in NMS G 1878.45.7 (Fig. 4) this flange is equal in posterior extent to that of the B-bone, in most specimens it is usually large and extends further in a posterior direction (Fig. 5e, f), though they are never as extensive or of the same size as those found on the I-bones of Ctenodus.

Each I-bone is approximately equal in width to the B-bone, and at maximum length extend forward for more than half the length of this median element. The anterior margin of the I-bone begins at the most lateral extent of the B-bone and turns laterally at about 90°. It continues for about half the width of the bone and then turns forward at an oblique angle. The most anterior point of the I-bone is where it meets the posteromedial corner of the KX-bone and the posterolateral corner of the J-bone. From this point the margin follows that of the KX-bone until it meets the Y-bone, where it turns posteriorly (Fig. 4). The lateral margin of the I-bone is undulating, with two shallow embayments to receive the Y- and Z-bones. Although the specimens of I-bones are broadly similar, the shape of the anterior margin varies between specimens and within a single specimen, from almost straight to undulating.

Continuing from B-bone, the I-bones carry the occipital commissure, which traverses the posterior third of the bone into the Z-bone (Fig. 8). There are numerous pores on the surface of the posterior half of the bone (Fig. 4). The bone also has branches of the occipital lateral line shown in Figure 8e, a composite reconstruction based on the part and counterpart specimens NMS 1898.154.23 and 24. Overall, the I-bone of Sagenodus is much larger and more prominent a member of the skull roof than the equivalent bone in Ctenodus.

Figure 8

Sagenodus inaequalis skull specimens. (A, B) NMS G 1897.110.30: (A) photograph of skull roof; (B) interpretive drawing. (C–E) NMS G 1898.154.23/24 part and counterpart: (C, D) visceral skull roof in part and counterpart; (E) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: c.occ=occipital canal; pl.p=posterior pit line; Rmd=right mandible; Lmd=left mandible; RPte=right pterygoid; LPte=left pterygoid; pn=prenasal bones; Rt.p=right prearticular plate; Lt.p=left prearticular plate; c.so=supraorbital canal. Scale bars=10mm.

Anterior to the I-bones are the paired J-bones (‘intertemporals' of Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923). Of the major bones of the skull roof, these seem to be the most variable in their shape and relationship with the surrounding bones. Those in S. copeanus are described as being ‘shield shaped' (Schultze & Chorn 55, p. 22) and resemble a lozenge, but those of S. inaequalis are more rounded and vary considerably in the extent to which they penetrate the KX- and LM-bones (Figs 4, 8). Medially, they occupy the anterior half of the lateral margin of the B-bone, which they contact via a curved margin. In anterior extent the J-bones can be slightly shorter, equal in length, and, in some cases, extend further forward than the B-bone (Fig. 4).

Posteriorly, the contact with the I-bones can be tightly interdigitated or a simple contact. Laterally, the margin of the bone bows outwards to form an angular convex margin with the medial margin of the KX-bone. Similarly, the anterior margin forms an obtuse angle with the posterior margin of the LM-bone and it is these lateral and anterior margins that are the most variable. For example, in NMS G 1878.45.7 (Fig. 4) the lateral margin forms a gentle curve with the KX-bone and a sharp prong penetrates the LM-bone, whereas GNMHM G 60.91 (Fig. 5e, f) demonstrates a lateral margin which invades the KX-bone to a much greater extent. The J-bones of NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4) are sub-circular and penetrate very little into the LM-bones.

Although there are no isolated examples of J-bones, evidence from impressions of the visceral surface of the skull roof suggests that the ventral anterior and lateral extent of the bones is somewhat greater than that seen in dorsal view. In some specimens the J-bone carries an extension of the supraorbital canal from the KX-bone.

The J-bone represents a major difference between the morphology of Sagenodus and Ctenodus. As noted, Sagenodus has a single median C-bone, in contrast with the paired C-bones of Ctenodus. In Ctenodus, the J-bones contact the C-bone over a large area. This is not the case in Sagenodus: here the J-bones and C-bone are prevented from contact by the large anterior extent of the B-bone, which is in contact with the LM-bone. Whether this is a result of the increased size of the B-bone, or a result of the loss of paired C-bones, is impossible to know.

The LM-bones are the second largest elements in the skull roof of S. inaequalis. They are three-lobed and bounded by the B-, C-, E-, J-, KX-, N-, 3a-, and 3b-bones. The largest of the three lobes points posteromedially and is bounded by the J- and C-bones, forming a junction with the B-bone. The anterior lobe meets the E-bone and the posterolateral lobe meets the KX-bone. Posteriorly, the bone is embayed where it receives the J-bone (Fig. 4). Laterally and anteriorly the bone is bordered by the N-bone and two bones of the orbital series, 3a and 3b; these bones are contacted via three shallow embayments, which give this margin a variable and zig-zig appearance. The only specimen that illustrates these contacts in full is NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4c, d).

The supraorbital canal is prominent in the LM-bone; large pores offset from centre towards the KX-lobe are visible. In larger specimens these pores are raised relative to the rest of the bone (Fig. 4c, d). Specimens NMS G 1897.110.34 and NMS G 1898.154.23/24 (Fig. 8) show that the supraorbital line traverses the LM-bone and that from it the lateral line passes into the N-, KX-, J-, and B-bones, where it splits into the postorbital and infraorbital canals.

Westoll (Reference Westoll, Jepsen, Mayr and Simpson1949) described a specimen lacking the L-portion of the LM-bone, probably NHMUK (BMNH) P 7719, which has an extra bone between the Y- and LM-bones. There are some lateral line pores on this accessory bone, suggesting that it could indeed be a separate L-bone. It is not unusual for the skull roofs of dipnoans to be polymorphic, though it is less common in the post-Devonian dipnoans.

The N-bone is the most anterior bone in the lateral series that can be readily characterised, although it is only known from a minority of specimens of S. inaequalis, being more commonly preserved in the American S. copeanus. Only two specimens with the N-bone in articulation with other skull roof bones have been examined in the course of this study (Figs 4c, d, 8a, b). The posterior margin of the N-bone forms a V between the 3a- and LM-bones, the margins with both being gently undulating and convex with respect to the N-bone. Medially, it is bordered by the E-bone and fits into the posterior of two notches on the lateral margin. The anterior margin of the N-bone is straight, as far as it is possible to tell, at its junction with the P-bone.

The N-bone carries the supraorbital canal forwards onto the P- and rostral bones, confirmed by the presence of sensory pores at the centre of the bone. Both Westoll (Reference Westoll, Jepsen, Mayr and Simpson1949, p. 151, fig. 8A) and Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997, p. 18, fig. 3) illustrated the N-bone as being entirely separated from the orbital margin by the 3a-bone. This does not appear to be the case in NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4c, d), in which the 3a- and N-bones are of roughly similar size and shape. Because the areas lateral to these bones are not present on either specimen, it is not possible to comment on the status of the anterior orbital bones.

The P-bones lie anterior to the N-bones. The presence of these bones is suggested by two distinct notches in the lateral margin of the E-bones, the posterior of which accommodates the N-bone and the anterior P-bone. Unfortunately, there is no fully articulated evidence of the P-bone in any specimens of S. inaequalis. NMS G 1897.110.30 (Fig. 8) has a bone preserved anterior to the N-bone, but it is slightly disarticulated. The bone is slender, with a length 1.5 times that of its width. It is a little constricted about its centre, but has a posterior margin which fits roughly with that of the N-bone behind it. The medial margin seems straighter than might be supposed by examining the E-bone.

Lateral to this bone is a slightly shorter and stouter element of unknown identity. It is probable that it is the O-bone but, as this bone is unknown in all other specimens of S. inaequalis, it cannot be confirmed. This identification is supported by its position anterior to the N-bone and in close association with the P-bone. The alternative bone, which might be seen to lie lateral to the P-bone, is the 3a-bone, although it would be expected for the bone to be placed equidistantly between the N- and P-bones. The lack of information regarding these anterolateral skull roof bones means that it is useful to examine the conditions found in specimens of other species of Sagenodus, in particular that of the better known S. copeanus.

Observation of S. copeanus (KUVP 103259, Fig. 7) illustrates a distinct individual bone occupying the anterior half of the E-bones and lying lateral to them, probably a P-bone. This bone is twice the length of the N-bone and slightly wider than its neighbour. Anteriorly, it is associated with two ‘prenasal bones', and, laterally, it contacts the O-bone. Posteriorly, it has a small area of contact with orbital bone 3a, comprising half of the anterolateral and lateral margin of this bone, together with the N-bone. The P-bone carries the supraorbital canal forwards into the ‘prenasal' bone, and this is supported by the presence of sensory pores on its surface in this specimen.

The Z-bones are the most posterolateral bones in the dermal skull roof of Sagenodus, forming the back corners of the skull roof of this genus (Fig. 4a, b). The Z-bones are small but thick elements of a generally rounded shape, having a convex, crenelated posterior margin and a pitted dorsal surface. The Z-bones nestle between I- and Y-bones. It is through the Z-bones, on their ventral surface, that the main lateral line canal enters the skull and bifurcates into two branches. That passing medially, and parallel with the posterior margin of the skull roof, is the occipital commissure; that passing anteriorly through the marginal bones of the skull roof is the cephalic division of the main lateral line.

Because of the bulk of the lateral line canal, the dorsal surface of the Z-bones are pocked with numerous sensory pores. There are no known examples of the ventral surface of a Z-bone of S. inaequalis so it is not possible to comment on its morphology. Personal observation (ELS, 2006) of specimens of S. copeanus confirms the description given by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997), which stated that the sensory canals were carried on the ventral surface enclosed within bone. This gives the ventral surface of the bone the appearance of a flat surface with a Y-shaped cylinder on it.

The Y-bone lies anterior and slightly lateral to the Z-bone, forming part of the lateral margin of the skull roof. It is generally trapezoid in shape, its lateral margin being the longest (Fig. 4). As described, it articulates posteriorly with a Z-bone and this margin is concave with respect to the Y-bone. Medially, the border with the I-bone is straight and the union between the two takes up the anterior half of the I-bone. The anterior margin of the Y-bone is formed by the junction with the KX-bone, and this is a straight but oblique border, moving anterolaterally. Thus, the most anterior extent of the Y-bone is pointed, but also somewhat laterally placed. The lateral margin, crenelated as in the B-bone, is gently convex. It passes posterolaterally, and then posteriorly in a curve, which is confluent with the lateral margin of the X-bones.

The anterior portion of the lateral margin is confluent with the notch in the KX-bones, which receives the tabulate process of the operculum. On the dorsal surface the bone is highly pitted and dimpled (Fig. 4), evidence of the high density of sensory canal elements present in this bone. The ventral surfaces of the Y-bones are poorly known for S. inaequalis, but the lateral extent seems to be greater in ventral view, presumably forming a region of overlap for the operculum. Observation of the visceral surface of the Y-bone of S. copeanus shows a distinct bony structure running anteroposteriorly down the mid-point of the bone, which exceeds both the anterior and ventral extent of the dorsal surface: it would have contained the main sensory line.

The KX-bones (‘squamosal', Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923; ‘X-intertemporal', Ahlberg Reference Ahlberg1991; ‘X+Y2', Westoll Reference Westoll, Jepsen, Mayr and Simpson1949) are three-lobed and similar in shape and orientation to the LM-bones, although they are smaller (Fig. 4). They form the most lateral extent of the skull table, articulating laterally with the tabulate process of the operculum. The three lobes have straight, truncated distal margins, and the posterior lobe fits between the J- and Y-bones. This lobe has a straight margin with the I-bone (Fig. 4). All margins are smooth with little interdigitation. Posterolaterally, there is a distinct notch in which the operculum is housed, and the lateral border also abuts this bone with a concave boundary. The lateral margin of KX- is posteriorly excluded from the lateral wall of the skull by the anterior projection of Y-, although these bones form a smooth notch in the skull wall.

Anterolaterally, the KX-bone meets the orbital bone 4 in a straight margin, although this bone is not known in articulation for S. inaequalis. Anteriorly, there is a concave margin into which fits the 3b-bone, and, anteromedially, the bone contacts the LM-bone. The medial contact with the J-bone occupies the entire lateral extent of J- and this contact is angular with the margin of the KX-bone, forming a concave surface of more than 90°.

The KX-bone is the point of bifurcation of the lateral line ventrally into the infraorbital lateral line canal, and continuing anteriorly into the LM-bone as the supraorbital lateral line canal. Accessory canals also penetrate into the J-bones (Fig. 5), something which is characteristic of the K-bone in Dipterus (Forster-Cooper Reference Forster-Cooper1937; Westoll Reference Westoll, Jepsen, Mayr and Simpson1949), hence its identification with the X-bone here. NMS 1898.17.36 (Fig. 6) shows a ventral thickening, which suggests that the lateral line was buried deep within the KX-bone. There are numerous pores on the dorsal surface, which are set slightly off-centre towards the opercular notch (Fig. 4).

3.2. Orbital region

Until the description of S. copeanus, the orbital region of Sagenodus was very poorly known. This is still the case for S. inaequalis, with few circumorbital bones known in detail and only two known in articulation with the skull roof – i.e., the dorsal elements 3a and 3b. The specimen that preserves these elements best is NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4c, d), although 3a is seen in NMS G 1897.110.30 (Fig. 8a, b). Even in the well-known North American species the reconstruction of the orbit from Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) was based on isolated elements, making any reconstruction tentative. There is no evidence of cheek bones in any specimens known for this genus and they are, therefore, assumed not to have been preserved.

Of the two orbital bones known with certainty for S. inaequalis, 3a and 3b are both in articulation with the LM-bone (Fig. 4c, d). The posterior element, the 3b-bone, is associated along its posterior margin with the KX-bone and is concave here. It seems that the union between these bones was not strong and they are usually disarticulated. The sutures seem to lack interdigitation and are found with some matrix between the bones. The medial margin meets the LM-bone and is broadly straight and anteromedially directed. The area around this junction is elevated relative to the more proximal areas of the bones, and this is seen, to a smaller degree, on the sutures between the other orbital elements and their neighbours. Although the dorsal surface of the bone is obscured by matrix in NMS G 1897.112.5 (Fig. 4a, b), there is a pitted and rugose surface, which becomes depressed laterally, and probably represents overlap areas for the adjacent 3-bones.

The anteromedial margin of the 3b-bone meets the 3a-bone in an oblique, straight junction. It is the anterodorsal element of the skull roof and was described by Westoll (Reference Westoll, Jepsen, Mayr and Simpson1949, p. 151, fig. 8) as bone 2. Its medial margin fits within a concavity in the LM-bone and is consequently angularly convex. The anteromedial margin meets the N-bone and this border is undulating. The anterolateral margin, presumably with the 2-bone, is oblique and seems straight in its most anterior portions, turning posteriorly and becoming confluent with the lateral margin of the 3b-bone. The 3a-bone is also pitted and grooved in the visible areas. Both the 3a- and 3b-bones carry pores of the sensory canal, the 3b-bone carrying a short dorsal branch of the infraorbital sensory canal. GNMHM G 60.91 (Fig. 5e, f) suggests that the 3a-bone carries a small accessory branch of the supraoccipital canal, which enters it from the LM-bone.

The size and position of the left 3a-bone in NMS G 1897.112.5 is somewhat unusual. In other reconstructions of the species, as well as in examined specimens of S. copeanus, S. serratus, and S. ohioensis, the anterior extent of the 3a-bone causes it to sit lateral to the N- and P-bones, thus excluding them from the orbital margin (Fig. 4c, d). In NMS G 1897.112.5, however, the N-bone is larger than reconstructed elsewhere, and the 3a-bone is offset posterolaterally, with its anterior point reaching only to the midpoint of the N-bone. Although the lateral margin of the 3a-bone is broken, there is no reason to suppose that much bone is missing. It seems that Sagenodus is the only known dipnoan in which the dorsal margin of the orbit is composed of two bones, both distinct from those at the anterior and posterior orbital margins.

The other bones of the orbit are unknown in articulation with skull roof material of S. inaequalis; however, there is little reason to suppose that the orbital region of S. inaequalis is significantly different from that of S. copeanus or S. serratus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997).

3.3. Palate

The palate of Sagenodus, as in Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013), is composed of paired pterygoids, the upper tooth plates, and the median parasphenoid. Quadrates are not preserved. In addition, there is evidence of the presence of vomerine tooth plates in S. quinquecostatus (see below). The tooth plates will be described separately below.

The pterygoids of Sagenodus conform closely to the form of those seen in Ctenodus, and good examples of pterygoids of Sagenodus and its associated tooth plate are shown in Figure 9. Anteriorly, the medial margin is sub-parallel with that of the tooth plate, where the two pterygoids articulate in the midline of the palate. Posterior to this, the medial margin turns laterally at an angle of approximately 140°, and from this point the two pterygoids are separated by the parasphenoid.

Figure 9

Sagenodus inaequalis pterygoids and associated tooth plates. (A, B) GNMHM G 61.34 left pterygoid: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C) Drawing of tooth plate showing wear pattern. (D, E) GNMHM G 172.32: (D) photograph; (E) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: Pte.t.p=pterygoid tooth plate; r.i.acc = accessory ridge; t.r.1=tooth ridge 1; t.r.7=tooth ridge 7. Scale bars=10mm.

The posterior portion of the pterygoid is offset laterally with respect to the tooth plate and is a characteristic ‘delta-shape'. The medial region here has an ‘unfinished' surface, and at this point the pterygoid would have been underlain by the parasphenoid. The pterygoids of Sagenodus have a less curved medial margin than those of Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013). Anterior to this, however, the body of the parasphenoid would overlie the paired pterygoids to a degree. Lateral to this region is the quadrate ramus, and although it is always preserved in a single plane, in life this lateral corner of the pterygoid would be angled ventrally and abut the quadrate. The anterior portion of the pterygoid near the midline of the palate seems quite thin (although the bones are not known in isolation for the British genera), but posteriorly the quadrate ramus is very robust.

The parasphenoid of Sagenodus is relatively smaller and less extensive than that of Ctenodus. Again, it is divided into the distinct corpus and stem, and in Sagenodus the stem is narrower than that of Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013), and the lateral margins are scarcely flared. At their point of contact there is a slight constriction of the stem. The parasphenoid of Sagenodus is illustrated in buccal view in Figure 10a, b. There were no available specimens that preserve the visceral surface of the parasphenoid for S. inaequalis, and that in Figure 10c is of S. copeanus. The parasphenoid of S. quiquecostatus is similar as far as can be seen (Fig. 2b) from micro-CT scan reconstructions, except that the stem has much more extensive lateral flare on the margins and a much more strongly tapering component on the visceral surface of the corpus.

Figure 10

Sagenodus spp. parasphenoids. (A, B) Sagenodus inaequalis NMS G 1878.45.13 parasphenoid in buccal view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C) Sagenodus copeanus KUVP 70738 parasphenoid in visceral view. Abbreviations: Psph=parasphenoid; c.Psph=corpus of the parasphenoid; m.d.Psph=median depression of the parasphenoid; m.r.Psph=median ridge of the parasphenoid on the buccal surface; Pte.oa = pterygoid overlap area; s.Psph=stalk of the parasphenoid; m. ri=median ridge on the visceral surface. Scale bars=10mm.

The corpus is roughly diamond shaped, with somewhat concave lateral margins. The anterior margin of the corpus makes an angle of between 85° and 90°, and the anterior tabulate process has a gently curved anterior margin. Similarly, the lateral angles of the parasphenoid corpus are at approximately 90°, making the body more square than described for S. copeanus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997). The margins of the corpus are irregular and ‘unfinished' at the area of overlap with the pterygoids; the surface of the tabulate process bears anteroposteriorly oriented ridges.

The buccal surface of the parasphenoid varies in its texture: some specimens show a smooth surface, others are broadly smooth but ornamented with pits and grooves, something that is prominent in GNMHM G 61.44, which has an area of dense pustulate ornament on the posterior half of the corpus. The lateral ‘wings' of the corpus are less ornamented, where the pterygoids would overlap (Fig. 10). The overlapping pterygoids would arch ventrally, allowing the quadrate ramus to contact the quadrate. Similarly, the lateral angles of the parasphenoid arch downward, although the preservation does not permit this to be seen. Instead, many specimens of parasphenoid are broken in the lateral regions.

Where the stem and the corpus meet there is a ridge, as the posterior corner of the corpus is elevated relative to the rest of the bone. This ridge thins anteriorly and continues forward onto the corpus for a third of its length, and is bordered laterally by two depressions. This is in contrast to the prominent ridge of the corpus seen in Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013). The median ridge in S. copeanus forms a smooth transition with the parasphenoid stem.

The stem of the parasphenoid makes up almost half of the total length of the bone, and is ornamented with small pits and grooves parallel to the orientation of the stem. Its margins flare laterally for part of its length, after which they begin to converge again, meeting in a rounded posterior termination. The most conspicuous feature of the parasphenoid is the median depression, bordered by parallel ridges (Fig. 10). This depression is not seen to an equal extent in all specimens but is present, to some degree, in all of those studied.

The visceral surface of the parasphenoid is not known for S. inaequalis but is known for other species. A poorly preserved example is seen in S. quinquecostatus (Figs 2, 3). The anterior portion of the stem of S. copeanus (ELS, pers. obs. 2006) bears very prominent ridges on the lateral margins, which continue onto the corpus and converge near the centre. The stem is characterised by a number of somewhat radiating ridges, running anteroposteriorly, for most of its length (Fig. 10). It is interesting to note that the parasphenoid stem of S. copeanus is longer in relation to the body than seen in S. inaequalis. Similarly, the anterior stem is more flared than found in S. inaequalis but similar to those seen in Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013) and S. quinquecostatus.

3.4. Lower jaw

The lower jaw of Sagenodus comprises three paired bones, angular, splenial, and prearticular, and the paired tooth plates. Laterally, the angular is a curved bone that tapers anteriorly and articulates with the splenial. Medially, the tooth plate is borne on the prearticular. Both the mandibular and oral lateral lines are carried on the lower jaw. It is very uncommon for these three elements of the lower jaw to be found in articulation and, for S. inaequalis, such preservation has not been observed.

The angular is the largest element of the lower jaw and is situated laterally in the mouth, forming most of the external area (Figs 11, 12). It is a curved triangle in shape, being deepest posteriorly and tapering to a truncated point anteriorly. Its posterodorsal margin is divided into two areas by a subtle angle on the margin. The most posterior region of this margin forms a gentle and shallow notch into which the unossified articular would have fitted. Moving dorsally from here is a second region, found as a notch in some specimens or as a plain surface in others. This margin leads to the highest point of the angular, the ascending process situated at approximately one quarter of the length of the bone. From here, the dorsal margin of the bone descends, steeply at first, and then in a more shallow concave arc, tapering to its most anterior point. This margin is notably more curved than the dorsal margin of the angular of Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013).

Figure 11

Sagenodus inaequalis lower jaw elements. (A, B) NMS G 1888.33.19 right angular in lateral view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C, D) GNMHM G 61.36 right angular and splenial in lateral view: (C) photograph; (D) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: Ang=angular; add.m.ar=area of attachment for the adductor mandibulae; pr.asc.Ang=ascending process of the angular; c.o=oral sensory canal; f=foramen; r.Ang=ridge of angular; Spl=splenial. Scale bars=10mm.

Figure 12

Sagenodus inaequalis lower jaw elements. (A–D) GNMHM G 61.35 right angular, prearticular, and prearticular tooth plate in lateral view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing; (C, D) specimen in lingual view: (C) photograph; (D) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: Ang=angular; glen.a=area of glenoid; fu.Ang=furrow of the angular; md.av.m=path of the mandibular ramus of the anteroventral lateral line nerve; mk.c.r=area that receives the Meckelian cartilage; Prart=prearticular; Prart t.p=prearticular tooth plate; sym=symphysial region of mandible; v.r.Ang=ventral ridge of the angular. Scale bar=10mm.

The dorsal margin of the bone anterior to the ascending process is the region for the attachment of the adductor mandibulae. Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) described some specimens of S. copeanus with a deep pit in this region. GNMHM G 61.36 (Fig. 11) does have an expanded flattened region in front of the ascending process, which might be equivalent in function. The internal face of the angular is unknown in that specimen. Posterior to this region, and anterior to the ascending process of the angular, is a small pit, seen only in GNMHM G 61.36 (Fig. 11). While it is difficult to interpret, its position corresponds to that described by Jarvik (Reference Jarvik1980) as the foramen for the ramus intermandibularis and mandibularis trigemini.

The ventral margin of the angular forms either a shallow curve or is sub-horizontal. The most posterior point of the bone is a rounded prong, confluent dorsally with the articular facet. The curved ventral surface turns dorsally upon the point of contact with the splenial. If the angular is isolated this region can be easily identified by this change of direction of the margin of the bone, as well as the somewhat ‘unfinished' surface on the anteroventral regions of the bone.

The angular possesses two branches of the lateral line: the oral canal, which passes dorsally through the middle of the bone onto the splenial, and the mandibular canal, which traverses the ventral portion of the angular onto the splenial. These lateral line canals open to the surface via pores which are seen to a lesser or greater extent on different specimens. The oral canal is the most prominent, and is usually represented by six or seven pores on the angular, whereas the mandibular canal is more elusive on the angular, only represented by a few thin and elongate pores on the ventral margin of GNMHM G 61.35 (Fig. 12). Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) refer to the mandibular canal as being found in a gutter, but there is no evidence for that here.

The lateral face of the angular is, broadly speaking, convex, but there is a notable thickening ventrally in the region of the lateral line canals. This is bordered by a distinct dorsal undulating margin, above which the bone becomes distinctly less thick. It is presumed that this thickening contained the lateral line canal. This ridge is much more developed in the two larger specimens illustrated here. The smaller example of an angular (Fig. 11) from a presumed sub-juvenile shows some thickening, but to a lesser extent. This thickened ridge was not described for S. copeanus, and was not noted upon personal investigation (ELS 2006) to be as well developed as that in S. inaequalis.

The medial face of the angular is concave (Fig. 12). There is a distinct medial furrow, bordered ventrally by a large and well-defined ridge, which is thickest just ventral to the furrow, thinning into another smaller furrow below that. Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) described this as carrying the mandibular canal. As the ridge extends posteriorly it becomes confluent with the ventral margin of the angular, eventually forming the posterior prong of the angular.

Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) also described the path of the mandibular ramus of the anteroventral lateral line nerve. It is not possible to confirm the presence of that path on GNMHM G 61.35, although there is some evidence of a canal (subsequently filled with matrix), which may represent the path of this nerve in S. inaequalis (Fig. 12).

The junction of the angular with the splenial is illustrated in a single specimen, GNMHM G 61.36 (Fig. 11), which was figured by Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923, fig. 14, p. 180). Posteriorly, the junction is straight, becoming more intimate as the margin rises anterodorsally. Halfway along this junction it becomes difficult to see the detail of the relationship. Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) described the angular as overlying the splenial, but that does not seem to be certain in S. inaequalis.

The splenial is situated anterior to the angular. It is a triangular bone that tapers posteriorly, articulating with the anterior taper of the angular. Its anterior margin is roughly straight, with an ‘unfinished' margin that articulates with its partner ventrally at the symphysis of the lower jaw (Fig. 12), indicating that the symphysis was not firmly sutured. The posterior point of the splenial is truncated and articulates incompletely with the most anteroventral point of the angular. From there, its dorsal and ventral margins rise dorsally in parallel, although the splenial remains ventral to the articular throughout its length. The ventral border of the splenial is asymmetrically convex, the longer ascending portion of the arc being posterior in position and the shorter descending portion being anterior.

The anterior margin of the bone is anteriorly inclined. This angle varies between specimens, being between 110° and 120° from the ventral margin. While it appears from the specimens that both the angular and splenial are on the same plane, this is not the case. The splenial is oriented at an oblique angle to the angular so as to meet its antimere at the anteroventral midline of the jaws such that the splenial is positioned anteriorly, ventrally, and medially to the angular.

As with the angular, the splenial carries the mandibular and oral branches of the lateral line (Fig. 11). The mandibular canal continues along the ventral margin of the bone, received from the angular at its most posterior point, and extends forward until it meets the canal of its antimere at the symphysis. The oral canal enters the splenial approximately halfway along its union with the articular, and the splenial is also thickened in the region of this canal. Both these bones have incomplete pores, which unite at the suture. The oral canal passes into the splenial and then extends dorsally, subparallel to the junction of the two and opening through a pore in the dorsal corner of the splenial. There is an accessory branch connecting the mandibular and oral canals together, shown by the presence of one large sensory pore between the two. The inner face of the splenial is unknown in this species, though in S. copeanus it is concave. Only one splenial of S. inaequalis has been found in articulation with any other bone of the lower jaw (Fig. 11).

The prearticular is a long narrow, almost parallel-sided bone, which occupies the whole of the inner surface of the lower jaw. It lies lingually to the angular and splenial and slightly dorsal to both, forming the pocket in which the Meckel's cartilage would have been situated. GNMHM G 61.35 (Fig. 12) shows the angular and the prearticular, although the latter bone is dorsally and anteriorly offset to its orientation in life.

The prearticular has a tight union with its tooth plate and in most cases it is not possible to see any suture between them due to fusion during development. It is less common to see these tooth plates disarticulated than it is to find disarticulated pterygoid tooth plates. The prearticular has a dorsal shelf onto which the tooth plate sits, although the tooth plate extends considerably further labially than the bone itself, forming a dorsal overhang between the ventral surface of the tooth plate and the lateral wall of the prearticular. Internally, the extent of the tooth plate is not so marked, and the lingual margin of the tooth plate is confluent with that of the prearticular, forming a smooth curve between the two elements.

Posterior to the tooth plate, the prearticular is extremely thin, flaring a little at its most posterior point. The dorsal margin has one emargination directly posterior to the tooth plate, which ends posteriorly in a pointed dorsal spur. Behind this, the dorsal margin has another, much more distinct, emargination in which the dorsal margin drops to below the level of the tooth plate (Fig. 12). This deep notch is associated with a similar one at the posterior extent of the angular and, together, they receive the unossified articular (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997), forming the articular surface of the lower jaw. Posterior to this, there is another small dorsal spur, and the margin then proceeds posteriorly until forming the tapered posterior margin of the prearticular.

The ventral margin of the bone is gently undulating and broadly concave until meeting its anterior margin. When viewed laterally, the margin of the bone turns anterodorsally at an oblique angle, eventually meeting the dorsal margin of the bone. If viewed medially, the ventral margin meets the symphysial surface. The symphysial surface is an elongated oval in shape and, like that of the splenial, is ‘unfinished'. In the region of the symphysis, the whole of the prearticular turns inwards and, to a small extent, ventrally. The result of this is that, if viewed from the front, the symphysial margin (Fig. 12) is oriented so that the most anterior portion is dorsally and laterally situated, whereas the posterior end is ventrally and medially located.

The prearticular tooth plate is approximately two thirds the length of the prearticular. It does not sit symmetrically along the length of the prearticular, but instead occupies an anterior position, much as the pterygoid tooth plate does on the pterygoid.

3.5. The branchial region

The branchial region of Sagenodus is poorly known and the only elements described and identified with certainty here are the operculum and ceratohyal. Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) state that these are the only elements of the branchial skeleton to ossify in Sagenodus. As with Ctenodus, it is assumed that the branchial region of Sagenodus conforms in its nature closely to the configuration seen in Neoceratodus (Rosen et al. Reference Rosen, Forey, Gardiner and Paterson1981).

There is little to distinguish the operculum of Sagenodus from that of Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013) and the basal Carboniferous genus Limanichthys (Challands et al. Reference Challands, Smithson, Clack, Bennett, Marshall, Wallace-Johnson and ill2019). The bone is large and robust; it is outwardly convex and its posterior margin forms a regular curve. For this genus the only specimen in which the operculum has been found in natural articulation with the KX-bone is NMS G 1886.82.11, the lectotype specimen of S. quinquecostatus (Fig. 2). Although this operculum is not entirely complete, it is more regularly rounded than those of S. inaequalis, which typically have a slightly greater dorsoventral diameter than anteroposterior diameter. The outer surface is pitted and there are striations radiating outwards from the tabulate process. The posterior portion also exhibits a triangular segment of finer ornament more similar to that found on the operculum of S. inaequalis.

Figure 13 illustrates adult opercula of Sagenodus, identified in association with other elements of Sagenodus. Similar to Ctenodus, the operculum articulates anteriorly with the KX- and Y-bones via the tabulate process, a rounded protuberance that sits in the notch between the former bones of the skull roof. The tabulate process is positioned in a slightly dorsal position on the anterior margin of the operculum (Fig. 13). Dorsal to it, the margin is straight, and above this the margin is inflected again before the major curve of the operculum begins. It is in this region, dorsal to the tabulate process, that the KX- and Y-bones overlie the operculum.

Figure 13

Sagenodus inaequalis opercular bones. (A) MM L10453 left operculum in external view; (B) GNMHM G 61.34 right operculum in internal view. Abbreviations: art. Subop=articulation for subopercula; Op=opercular bone; t.p.Op=tabulate process of the operculum. Scale bars=10mm.

Ventral to the tabulate process the margin becomes straight and turns posteroventrally at a shallow angle, and then posteriorly, forming an angle of approximately 120°. On the internal face of the operculum these margins border a depressed triangular region, which is the region of articulation between the operculum and the suboperculum.

The ceratohyal is the only known element of the hyoid arch of Sagenodus because, as with Neoceratodus, it is the only element to ossify. It was well described for S. copeanus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997), and here is identified and described for S. inaequalis for the first time. The identity of the ceratohyal in Sagenodus spp. has been debated. Examples have been described by, among others, Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923) as a quadrate (Fig. 14a) and, according to them, by Fritsch (Reference Fritsch1885–1889) as both a scapula and a femur. Williston (Reference Williston1899) gave it its correct identification. As a member of the hyoid arch, the ceratohyal is principally an endoskeletal ossification. Its preservation is based upon the fact that it is surrounded by a perichondral ossification. For S. copeanus, for which there is 3D acid-etched preparation, this can be observed in great detail; the anterior and posterior ends of the bone are hollow (ELS, pers. obs. 2006). This structure can be inferred, rather than observed directly, in British specimens, as illustrated in Figure 14.

Figure 14

Sagenodus inaequalis ceratohyals. (A, B) NMS G 1888.33.4 right ceratohyal in oblique view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C, D) GNMHM G 61.46 left ceratohyal in lateral view: (C) photograph; (D) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: Chy=ceratohyal; l.r.Chy=ridge on left ceratohyal; unf=unfinished region. Scale bars=10mm.

Figure 14 illustrates the external/lateral face of the ceratohyal. That illustrated in Figure 14a, b (NMS G. 1888.33.4) is the only specimen associated with other good Sagenodus material but is less well preserved, missing both the anterior and posteriormost portions. It is also seen in an oblique view, broadly dorsomedially, and tentatively interpreted as a right ceratohyal. The other specimen, GNMHM G 61.46 (Fig. 14c, d) was illustrated by Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923, p. 177) and is cautiously identified here as a left ceratohyal in lateral view.

Although it is common for such material to be compressed and distorted, these specimens are both crushed and collapsed, evidence of the hollow nature of the bone without its cartilaginous interior. The only region of the bone that is relatively unaffected is the middle portion and, in particular, the lateral ridge that runs along the constricted region between the two expanded ends. That the bones are somewhat crushed shows how thin the perichondral layer of bone was. The form of the bone is that of an hourglass – both the anterior and posterior ends are flared and the middle constricted. The posterior end is considerably more flared, particularly in what is believed to be the dorsal direction.

The lateral face of the ceratohyal is characterised by the presence of a prominent ridge (Fig. 14d). Although this ridge is incomplete and damaged, it appears that its posterior extent is true. How far this ridge proceeded anteriorly is difficult to interpret, but it may have reached halfway onto the anterior flare and was probably approximately half the total length of the bone. Miles (Reference Miles1977) described a distinct ‘crest' on the lateral face of the ceratohyal of Chirodipterus australis, which he interpreted as separating the insertion areas for the levator and interhyoideus muscles. Despite this similarity there is no clear region of insertion of muscles either above or below this ridge and, as a consequence, an inference of muscle insertions must be regarded with some caution.

The posterior region of the ceratohyal is the most compressed region of the bone, although it is not clear to what extent this region would have been flattened in life. The expanded posterodorsal process appears to have a depressed and ‘unfinished' region indicating continuation in cartilage or other tissue; Miles (Reference Miles1977) suggested that the hyosuspensory ligament would have inserted here, a possible interpretation of this feature. The ceratohyal was probably suspended by such a structure from the braincase, and the interpretation of this region for attachment does not seem unreasonable. It is, however, impossible to infer to what posterior extent the ceratohyal was composed of cartilage. Similarly, the anterior region of the ceratohyal would have articulated with the endochondral hypohyal, and would itself be partly endochondral and lacking in perichondral ossification. This area of bone is also partly crushed in the specimens. The dorsal surface of the ceratohyal is smooth, and is ornamented with fine pits and small grooves.

3.6. Postcranium: appendicular skeleton

The first described element of pectoral girdle of Sagenodus inaequalis was the clavicle, by Hancock & Atthey (1872). After this, descriptions of the pectoral girdle were by Miall (Reference Miall1880), Fritsch (Reference Fritsch1885–1889), and by Watson & Gill (Reference Watson and Gill1923) somewhat schematically. Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) described the pectoral girdle of S. copeanus in some detail on the basis of three-dimensionally preserved material. There are no such well-preserved specimens of the pectoral girdle of S. inaequalis, although, generally, the elements agree with those described in the latter. The biggest problem of identifying elements is that of association, especially in cases where more than one genus is known from a locality. In the case of Sagenodus, it is possible to compare material that is in doubt with better preserved material from other localities.

There are no complete specimens of anocleithra (‘post-temporal' of Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923) known for Sagenodus, and incomplete ones are rare. The anocleithrum is the only element of the pectoral girdle that has not been found in articulation with other undoubted elements of Sagenodus and, therefore, the identification of the following element (Fig. 15a, b) GNMHM G 61.64 is made by comparison with the anocleithrum of S. copeanus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997). A similarly shaped lungfish anocleithrum from the Tournaisian of Scotland is figured in Clack et al. (Reference Clack, Bennett, Davies, Scott, Sherwin and Smithson2019, fig. 8D).

Figure 15

Sagenodus inaequalis shoulder girdle elements. (A, B) GNMHM G 61.64 left anocleithrum in external view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C, D) NMS G 1898.174.16 left cleithrum in internal view: (C) photograph; (D) interpretive drawing. (E, F) NMS G 1878.45.21 left cleithrum in external view: (E) photograph; (F) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: ad.r=dorsal ramus of the anocleithrum; Ano = anocleithrum; art.f.Cla=articular facet for clavicle; b.l.Cle=branchial lamina of the cleithrum; Cle = cleithrum; l.l.Cle=lateral lamina of the cleithrum; o.a.Cle=overlap area for the cleithrum; ri=ridge; sp=spur of Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997); r=rib. Scale bars=10mm.

The anocleithrum is a large, flat bone consisting anteriorly of a single projecting ‘ramus', which articulates with the I-bone and, posteriorly, of a broad, ventrally projecting ‘corpus' (Fig. 15a, b). The anterior part of the ramus is missing and, consequently, the attachment area for the ligament is not found. Unlike that illustrated by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997), there is no marked difference in the angle between the dorsal margins of the anterior ramus and the corpus of the anocleithrum. This margin approximates to horizontal for two thirds of its length, after which it turns dorsally briefly and then makes a rounded posterior margin. There is also no evidence of the posterior notch described by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997).

The anterior ramus bears a ridge, broken in places, which extends posteriorly, becoming less prominent and more rounded towards the posterior region of the corpus in external view. The whole dorsal region of the anocleithrum is raised relative to the ventral region, on which the cleithrum overlapped. Ventral to the anterior ramus is a large notch, below which the margin of the bone turns ventrally, and then posteriorly, to meet the posterior margin of the corpus in what is reconstructed as a smoothly rounded apex.

The lateral (external) face of the corpus preserves a number of ridges of varying prominence. The most pronounced of these is that which lies parallel with the dorsal ridge, and between the two is a striated trough, which may have borne some form of blood vessel. It is possible that this ridge marks the most dorsal extent of the overlap of the cleithrum, which has been identified in some Devonian lungfishes (ridge 1 of Jarvik Reference Jarvik1980). Another ridge is seen on the posteroventral margin of the corpus. Two smaller, parallel ridges at the centre of the corpus make an anteroventral-posterodorsal angle. The anocleithrum has a smooth surface, which indicates (Jarvik Reference Jarvik1980) deep burial of the bone within the skin.

A more commonly found element is the cleithrum – a large, triangular bone, whose large blade is orientated laterally and lies against the back wall of the gill chamber. As with the anocleithrum, it is sometimes difficult to assign specimens to a genus – for example, in material from Newsham, which preserves both Sagenodus and Ctenodus (Sharp & Clack Reference Sharp and Clack2013). There are a few examples of cleithra known in association with identifiable specimens of S. inaequalis. Specimen GNMHM G 174.78 (not figured) includes a poorly preserved cleithrum associated with well-defined skull roof material from Newsham. It provides the general shape of the cleithrum and, although showing no further detail, allows identification of other cleithra from this species. On one face of the block is a prearticular tooth plate that is readily attributable to Sagenodus. NMS G 1898.174.16 (Fig. 15c, d) is a better-preserved left cleithrum in posterior/internal view, from the Virtuewell Coal Shale from Newarthill in Lanarkshire from which there is no record of Ctenodus. The bone is broadly triangular in shape, the most conspicuous feature being the broad branchial lamina (Fig. 15d). This thin blade broadens laterally into a thickened ridge, which in life would be confluent with a similar ridge laterally placed on the external portion of the clavicle. Lateral to this is a smaller partially exposed ‘lateral' lamina (Fig. 15d). The dorsal margin of the bone is rounded, and for a quarter of the height of the branchial lamina the lateral and medial margins are parallel. The medial margin then broadens in two steps, until it turns laterally at approximately 45°, meeting the articular process of the cleithrum. The branchial lamina is broadly concave in posterior view with the surface gently undulating; it has small, radiating ridges on the surface of the bone, which become more ornamented ventrally. This ornament continues onto the articular process of the cleithrum, suggesting that the bone was not deeply embedded but close to the skin.

In S. copeanus, the articular process of the cleithrum turns slightly medially, and Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997, p. 39) described it as being ‘inflected anteriorly', but that feature is not seen in our specimens. The ventral part of the articular process is incomplete in NMS G 1898.174.16 (Fig. 15c, d), although in life this would articulate with the clavicle. As illustrated by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997, fig. 34, p. 40), there is what appears to be a ‘small spur' (Fig. 15d) on the lateral ridge of the cleithrum, which the authors claim is the most dorsal extent of the cartilaginous scapulocoracoid.

The external aspect of the cleithrum is shown in GNMHM G 61.64 (Fig. 15a, b) and the internal in NMS G 1878.45.21 (Fig. 15e, f). The dorsal part of the bone is rounded and the shape of the branchial lamina conforms broadly to that of a scalene triangle. From this view the ventral margin of the branchial lamina is thickened, and in the area where the blade meets the lateral ridge there are two distinct hollows, presumably for the insertion of a ligamentous connection to the hyoid apparatus and cranial ribs. The anterior surface of the branchial lamina is unornamented, and thickens laterally to form a second lateral ridge, in S. copeanus, which Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) claimed was sub-parallel to the ridge visible from posterior view. It has not been possible to verify this in our material.

The ventral ridge of the branchial lamina becomes confluent with that of the lateral ridge, and extends laterally onto the articular process. Medially, this thickened ridge ceases abruptly and the rest of the bone is thin. The concavity made at this junction is the articular facet, and it is here that the cleithrum receives the clavicle.

The clavicle is also poorly known from articulated specimens of Sagenodus. There are two poorly preserved clavicles present on the composite specimen GNMHM G 174.78, giving the general bone form and illustrating that the clavicle is of roughly the same length as the cleithrum. There are also poorly preserved specimens in disarticulation with material attributable to Sagenodus from a number of other specimens, but those best preserved are found in isolation. The clavicle is the pectoral girdle element, which is typically most deformed by preservation. The 3D nature of the bone is missing in most specimens, and the blade appears flat rather than curved. The clavicle of Sagenodus is illustrated in Figure 16 (right internal view).

Figure 16

Sagenodus inaequalis right clavicle. UMZC GN 159: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. Abbreviations: art.f.Cle = articular facet for clavicle; pb.l.Cla=postbranchial lamina of the clavicle; v.bl.Cla=ventral blade of the clavicle. Scale bar=10mm.

The most prominent feature of this bone is the large anterior and ventrally directed blade. It is broad and diverges along its length, terminating in an abrupt and straight margin, in contrast to Ctenodus whose blade has roughly parallel margins. The internal surface of this distal margin is gently scalloped and the surface of the bone lightly ornamented with striations. In life the blade would be curved so that the distal margin is rotated by approximately 150° relative to the articular surface. Dorsoposteriorly, the clavicle thickens and the margin of the blade is raised above the small, medially oriented branchial lamina. The articular facet, which contacts the cleithrum, is posteriorly placed, and the bone is ornamented here. Two ridges on the medial edge of the clavicle would be confluent with those found on the cleithrum.

3.7. Postcranium: axial skeleton

The axial skeleton of Sagenodus is poorly known. There are few known ‘whole-body' specimens, none of which are of the British species, although the lectotype of S. quinquecostatus retains an array of associated ribs, revealed by micro-CT scans (Fig. 3). The best of the articulated specimens is a small individual from the Hamilton quarry in Kansas: KUVP 84201 (Fig. 17). It was described by Chorn & Schultze (Reference Chorn, Schultze, Mapes and Mapes1989), reconstructed by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997, p. 44, fig. 39). There is little reason to suppose that the postcranial skeleton of British Sagenodus species are different in any important respect from that specimen, and cannot be described further.

Figure 17

Sagenodus copeanus KUVP 84201, entire fish. Scale bar = 10mm.

3.8. The tooth plates

The tooth plates of Sagenodus are probably the most widely known of any genus in the Palaeozoic in terms of numbers. This is evidence not only of the geographically wide distribution of this genus but also of the highly hard-wearing and durable nature of these plates, much more so than genera with tooth plates composed of denticle fields or less fully consolidated tooth rows. Although Sagenodus was defined on the basis of tooth plate histology, it is relatively uncommon for a tooth plate to be found in articulation with skull roof material: rather, these elements are often found disarticulated and scattered on blocks with other skull roof elements, and it is through such associations that the tooth plates of Sagenodus are identified.

We present descriptions of the tooth plates of S. inaequalis and S. quinquecostatus as examined in this study. The tooth plates of S. quinquecostatus differ significantly from those of S. inaequalis.

3.8.1. Tooth plates of S. inaequalis

The pterygoid tooth plates of S. inaequalis are the most widely known, although prearticular tooth plates have occasionally been mistaken for them. Examples of the pterygoid tooth plates are illustrated in Figure 9. They are ovate, with a length-to-width ratio of between 1:7 and 2:8. This is lower than the prearticular tooth plates, which are typically narrower than their opposing pair. The pterygoid tooth plates of S. inaequalis examined in this study have, on average, a lower length-to-width ratio than those Sagenodus species from the US.

The lingual margin forms a smooth curve, which extends from the tip of ridge 1 to that of the most posterior or accessory ridge. The anterior third of the lingual margin is almost straight and is parallel with the lingual margin of the pterygoid. The maximum medial extent of the lingual margin of the tooth plate is just posterior to half of the maximum length of the tooth plate, whereas the maximum lateral extent of the lingual margin is slightly posterior to this at approximately two thirds of the way back. The labial margin, while undulating by virtue of the tooth ridges, is not symmetrical with the lingual one as it forms a much less laterally extensive arc. The tooth ridges radiate from a point approximately two thirds along the length of the lingual edge, and their distal ends form a smooth convex curve from which no tooth ridge projects much further than any other. The tooth ridge angle varies between 50° and 70°, depending on the number of tooth ridges. The tooth ridge angle increases with increasing tooth ridge number.

The number of tooth ridges varies within the genus (Schultze & Chorn Reference Schultze and Chorn1997). In S. inaequalis, the ridge numbers vary from 6 to 8. The morphology of the ridges themselves also varies. In all examined specimens there are teeth remaining on the labial margin of the tooth plate (Fig. 9). Some specimens show almost complete tooth fusion into solid ridges (Fig. 9c, d), whereas other specimens retain a greater number of distinct teeth on the ridges (Fig. 9a, b). It is very unusual for teeth to remain on the most lingual areas of the tooth plate; this region of the occlusal surface is often entirely worn away, with little ridge detail remaining.

The occlusal surface is gently concave, although this is variable amongst specimens. Similarly concave pterygoid tooth plates are present in Ctenodus species, and relate to occlusal relations with convex prearticular plates (Smithson et al. Reference Smithson, Richards and Clack2015; Clack et al. Reference Clack, Challands, Smithson and Smithson2018). The most lingual areas are usually significantly more concave than the outer regions, and in some specimens the labial portion of the tooth plate is somewhat convex. Similarly variable is the level of tooth wear seen on the occlusal surface, and this does not seem to be correlated with either size or collection locality.

Prearticular tooth plates (Figs 12, 18) are often mistaken for pterygoid tooth plates when not associated with the prearticular bone itself. Their general shape is more variable than that of the pterygoid tooth plates, although they consistently have a higher length-to-width ratio of between 2:9 and 3:8. The tooth ridge angle is c.90°, slightly greater than that of the pterygoid tooth plates.

One characteristic feature of the prearticular tooth plates of Sagenodus is that tooth ridge 1 is longer than the other ridges and is often inclined anteriorly, so that the most anterior furrow is asymmetrical to a large degree (Fig. 18c–f). In S. inaequalis, tooth ridge 1 also tends to preserve the teeth along more of its length than the other ridges and is commonly broken with its anterior portion missing. A similar disparity in the size of ridge in some Late Devonian lungfishes was noted by Clack et al. (Reference Clack, Challands, Smithson and Smithson2018). However, the individual teeth remain preserved on all the prearticular tooth ridges more commonly than on the pterygoid tooth plates, although they are often worn. The prearticular tooth plates are more often found incomplete and seem to break or damage more readily than the pterygoid tooth plates.

Figure 18

Sagenodus inaequalis prearticular tooth plates. (A, B) GNMHM G 61.34 left prearticular tooth plate in buccal view: (A) photograph; (B) interpretive drawing. (C, D) UMZC GN 168 left prearticular tooth plate in buccal view: (C) photograph; (D) interpretive drawing. (E, F) GNMHM G 61.35 right angular, prearticular, and prearticular tooth plate in buccal view: (E) photograph; (F) interpretive drawing. Pale shading represents prearticular; mechanical stippling, angular; hatching, broken bone. Abbreviations: Ang=angular; Prart = prearticular; Prart.t.p=prearticular tooth plate; t.r.1=tooth ridge 1. Scale bars=10mm.

Although the prearticular tooth plates are also oval in outline, they tend to be a more elongate oval. The lingual margin forms a shallow curve, the middle section of which is almost straight in a number of specimens. This curve becomes more distinct at the lingual margin of tooth ridge 1. In contrast, with the exception of tooth ridge 1, the labial margin is straighter than that of the pterygoid tooth plate, making the maximum width of the tooth plate fairly constant throughout its length. While the ridges do radiate, this is less distinct in the more posterior ridges, and the angle between the anterior ridges is greater. It is only lingual to the more posterior ridges that there is any significant wear on the occlusal surface.

The number of ridges on the prearticular tooth plate is variable similarly to those on the pterygoid tooth plate. Again, the ridge number varies between 5 and 8, and there seems to be a fairly close correspondence between the number of ridges on both the upper and lower plates. Although this seems intuitive since there would have been a close occlusal relationship between the upper and lower tooth plates, it is not the case in some Devonian forms (Clack et al. Reference Clack, Challands, Smithson and Smithson2018). Both the depth, width, and angle of the furrows between ridges is greater for the more anterior ridges, and the furrows are also more symmetrical in the posterior regions of the tooth. The furrows often contain a row of isolated depressions, suggestive of occlusion with the pterygoid tooth plates, although no specimens have been studied for this genus where occluding tooth plates can be identified with certainty. The tooth plate is convex to occlude with the concave pterygoid plate.

3.8.2. Tooth plates of Sagenodus quinquecostatus

Individual pterygoid tooth plates of S. quinquecostatus are relatively common in the late Early Carboniferous of Scotland (Fig. 19a), and incomplete specimens are preserved on the lectotype NMS G 1886.82.11 (Fig. 2). They differ from those of S. inaequalis in never having more than six tooth ridges and typically having five. They are distinctly fan-shaped, with a greater length-to-width ratio of 3:3.

Figure 19

Sagenodus quinquecostatus tooth plates. (A) NHMUK (BMNH) P 11506 left pterygoid tooth plate. (B) NMS G 1993.56.118 right pterygoid tooth plate. (C, D) NMS G 1993.56.115 right prearticular tooth plate: (C) view with ridge 1 held approximately horizontally and more posterior ridges approximately vertically; (D) view with ridge 1 approximately vertical. (E, F) Diagrams of the two positions of the tooth plates in S. quinquecostatus based on the type specimen NMS G 1886.32.11 and the right prearticular of NMS G 1993.56.115: (E) jaws in position as in (C) for rear tooth plates to occlude (medial rotation); (F) jaws in position as in (D) for ridge 1 to occlude (lateral rotation). Tooth plates, dark grey; tooth cusps, black; prearticular, light grey; splenial, vertical hatch; angular, white. Scale bars=10mm (A–D); 5mm (E, F) (scale bars are placed above their respective images).

Two morphs of the pterygoid tooth plate are known. One morph has blunt cone-like teeth that are usually worn into blades, especially at the lingual end of the tooth ridge, and has a tooth ridge angle of c.90° (Fig. 19a). The other has more laterally compressed teeth showing less wear and with a much greater tooth ridge angle of up to c.160° (Fig. 19b). Both morphs have been found at Loanhead, the morph with blunt cone-like teeth has been found at Niddrie, and the morph with laterally compressed teeth has been found at Dora and Gilmerton. They may represent two different species but, in the absence of any additional evidence, we here treat all the material as belonging to S. quinquecostatus.

Prearticular tooth plates are very rare. They are preserved on the lectotype (Fig. 2) and a small individual tooth plate, NMS G 1993.56.115, was collected from the Dora Bone Bed, Cowdenbeath (Smithson Reference Smithson1985) (Fig. 19c, d). They differ from those of S. inaequalis in having no more than four tooth ridges. Tooth ridge 1 is long, orientated almost at right angles to the short posterior ridges. The teeth on tooth ridge 1 are fused into a sharp blade on the lectotype specimen, but some individual teeth are still present on the small Dora specimen. The posterior tooth ridges bear up to four unworn teeth. In the lectotype specimen, the mesial side of the dorsal surface of the tooth plate is covered with a layer of enamel. This extends from the lingual edge to cover approximately two thirds of the plate. The labial margin is very clear and forms a distinct boundary between the open texture of the bone on the lateral side of the tooth plate and the smooth enamel-covered mesial side. The enamel surrounds the teeth on the posterior tooth ridges but has been worn away along most of the length of tooth ridge 1 (Fig. 2). Specimen BGS GSM 4556, S. inaequalis, also shows distinctive enamel. Its length-to-width ratio of 3:8 is similar to that of some S. inaequalis specimens, and the tooth ridge angle of 90° is also similar.

Until now, the presence of vomerine teeth in Sagenodus has been assumed, as in Neoceratodus (Kemp Reference Kemp1977), and isolated vomerine tooth plates have been inferred to be those of Sagenodus (Watson & Gill Reference Watson and Gill1923; Atthey Reference Atthey1868). The only vomerine tooth plate associated with skull material is preserved on the lectotype specimen of S. quiquecostatus NMS G 1886.82.11 (Fig. 2). The specimen has been dorsoventrally compressed to such an extent that the prearticular tooth plates appear anterior to the dermal skull roof in semi-articulation with the pterygoid tooth plates. Anterior to the E-bones, and between the tooth plates, is a single element orientated similarly to the pterygoid tooth plates. This element has three distinct cusps in a row, the enamel clearly visible. A closer view is illustrated in Figure 2e.

Although the view of the bone is obscured, the vomerine tooth plate appears to differ from that described by Schultze & Chorn (Reference Schultze and Chorn1997) for S. copeanus, all teeth being in a single plane. It comprises a single row of three teeth and the associated bone. The central tooth is larger than those flanking it, although the tip is incomplete. The left lateral margin of the vomer is not visible and, therefore, it is not possible to say with certainty the total number of teeth that the vomer bears. Lund (Reference Lund1970) described the vomer of Sagenodus periprion as having five or more teeth (cusps).