A new tubalepid (Antiarcha, Placodermi) from the Middle Devonian of Huize, Yunnan, China

Abstract A new tubalepid antiarch, Tongdulepis concavus gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Middle Devonian (Qujing Formation, late Eifelian) of Huize County, Qujing, northeastern Yunnan, China. It differs from other antiarchs in the trapezoidal premedian plate, absence of postmarginal plate (except Tubalepis), spade-shaped preorbital recess, contorted infraorbital sensory line on the lateral plate, and the anterior median dorsal plate with broad anterior margin and concave posterior margin. This material confirms the absence of the postmarginal plate in Tubalepididae and adds to our understanding of the neurocranium and brachial process in the primitive bothriolepidoids. Our phylogenetic result places Tongdulepis within Tubalepididae, at the plesiomorphic position of the Tenizolepis-Dianolepis-Bothriolepis lineage.