List Of Acanthodian Genera

This list of acanthodian genera is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been included in the subclass Acanthodii, excluding purely vernacular terms.

The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful (nomina dubia), or were not formally published (nomina nuda), as well as junior synonyms of more established names, and genera that are no longer considered acanthodians. Not counting their descendants, the modern chondricthyans, all acanthodians are extinct. Extinct genera are marked with a dagger ()

List Of Acanthodian Genera
Various primitive acanthodians from Early Devonian England and Scotland, Mesacanthus pusillus, Parexus falcatus, Ishnacanthus gracilis

Naming conventions and terminology

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include:

  • Junior synonym: A name which describes the same taxon as a previously published name. If two or more genera are formally designated and the type specimens are later assigned to the same genus, the first to be published (in chronological order) is the senior synonym, and all other instances are junior synonyms. Senior synonyms are generally used, except by special decision of the ICZN, but junior synonyms cannot be used again, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.
  • Nomen nudum (Latin for "naked name"): A name that has appeared in print but has not yet been formally published by the standards of the ICZN. Nomina nuda (the plural form) are invalid, and are therefore not italicized as a proper generic name would be. If the name is later formally published, that name is no longer a nomen nudum and will be italicized on this list. Often, the formally published name will differ from any nomina nuda that describe the same specimen.
  • Nomen oblitum (Latin for "forgotten name"): A name that has not been used in the scientific community for more than fifty years after its original proposal.
  • Preoccupied name: A name that is formally published, but which has already been used for another taxon. This second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced. As preoccupied names are not valid generic names, they will also go unitalicized on this list.
  • Nomen dubium (Latin for "dubious name"): A name describing a fossil with no unique diagnostic features. As this can be an extremely subjective and controversial designation, this term is not used on this list.

The List

Genus Status Age Location Notes
Acanthacanthus Valid. Early Lochkovian (earliest Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. A vesperaliid based on scales.
Acanthodopsis Valid. Carboniferous. Europe, Australia. An unusual acanthodid with tooth-like ossifications on its jaws.
Acanthopora Valid. Early Lochkovian (earliest Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. A small ischnacanthid similar to Poracanthodes.
Acanthospina Valid. Early Lochkovian (earliest Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. A probable ischnacanthiform with scales similar to hybodontiform sharks.
Acanthodes Valid. Devonian? to Cisuralian (Early Permian). Europe, North America, China? One of the most well-known acanthodians, a filter-feeding acanthodid acanthodiform.
Acritolepis Valid. Early Lochkovian (earliest Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. Namesake of the ischnacanthiform family Acritolepidae.
Aganacanthus Valid or junior synonym. Mississippian / Early Carboniferous. Scotland. A possible gyracanthid known from a single worn fin spine, may be an indeterminate gnathostome or a junior synonym of Gyracanthus.
Ankylacanthus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). Canada. An acanthodian based on fin spines, possibly one of the oldest gyracanthids.
Antacanthus Nomen dubium? Mississippian / Early Carboniferous. Belgium. A possible gyracanthid known from a single fin spine.
Antarctonchus Valid. Givetian (Middle Devonian). Antarctica. An Antarctic acanthodian based on fin spine casts.
Apateacanthus Valid. Late Devonian. New York, U.S.A. Based on a fin spine with large denticles, sometimes mistaken for an ischnacanthiform jaw.
Archaeacanthus Valid. Eifelian to Givetian (Middle Devonian). Europe. Based on fin spines common in Middle Devonian strata of Siberia and Northeastern Europe.
Arcticacanthus Valid. Early Lochkovian to Emsian (Early Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. A possible ischnacanthid based on scales.
Arenaceacanthus Valid. Wenlock to early Pridoli (Silurian). Lithuania. A probable ischnacanthid based on scales, common in Lithuania.
Atopacanthus Valid. Eifelian to Early Famennian (Middle Devonian to Late Devonian). North America, Europe, Iran. A widespread and long-lived ischnacanthid.
Brachyacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Scotland. A small climatiid from the Lower Old Red Sandstone of Scotland.
Bracteatacanthus Valid. Latest Pridoli (latest Silurian). Lithuania. A probable ischnacanthid based on scales.
Brochoadmones Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A deep-bodied and well-preserved "climatiiform" from the Man-On-The-Hill (MOTH) locality in the MacKenzie Mountains of Canada.
Bryantonchus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). U.S.A. A probable diplacanthiform based on fin spines.
Byssacanthoides Valid. Givetian (Middle Devonian). Antarctica. An Antarctic acanthodian based on fin spine casts.
Cacheacanthus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). U.S.A. Based on ischnacanthid jaw fragments from the western United States.
Campylodus Nomen dubium? Ludlow to Lochkovian? (late Silurian to earliest Devonian)? Europe. Jaw fragments probably belonging to indeterminate ischnacanthiforms.
Canadalepis Valid. Lochkovian? to Emsian (Early Devonian). Asia, Australia, Canada. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Carycinacanthus Junior synonym. Tournaisian (earliest Mississippian / Carboniferous). Russia. A junior synonym of Acanthodes lopatini.
Cassidiceps Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A toothless, deep-bodied MOTH locality acanthodian with complex head armor. Probably closely related to the acanthodiforms.
Cheiracanthoides Valid. Pridoli to Frasnian (latest Silurian to Late Devonian). Worldwide. A widespread and long-lasting possible climatiid based on scales.
Cheiracanthus Valid. Middle Devonian. Europe. The fairly common namesake of the acanthodiform family Cheiracanthidae.
Climatius Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). U.K., Portugal. The namesake of the family Climatiidae.
Culmacanthus Valid. Givetian to Frasnian (Middle Devonian to Late Devonian). Australia, Antarctica. A distinctive diplacanthiform with reduced intermediate spines and large cheek plates.
Devononchus Valid. Givetian to Famennian (Middle Devonian to Late Devonian). Europe. Based on fin spines and scales common in the areas corresponding to Baltica.
Diplacanthus Valid. Middle Devonian to Late Devonian. Scotland, Russia, South Africa, Canada? The widespread, long-lasting, and fairly common namesake of the family Diplacanthidae and order Diplacanthiformes.
Doliodus Valid (non-acanthodian). Emsian (Early Devonian). Canada. A spiny stem-chondrichthyan which acts as a transitional form between acanthodians and non-acanthodian traditional chondrichthyans.
Eifellepis Valid. Emsian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Germany, Belgium. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Erriwacanthus Valid. Pragian (Early Devonian). U.K., Ukraine. A climatiid with large and complex spines on its shoulder girdle.
Endemolepis Valid. Pridoli to Lochkovian (latest Silurian to Early Devonian). Europe. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Erymnacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A medium-sized MOTH locality ischnacanthid.
Eupleurogmus Nomen dubium. Mississippian / Early Carboniferous? Australia. A dubious taxon based on Acanthodes-like scales.
Euryacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A medium-sized MOTH locality ischnacanthid.
Euthacanthus Valid. Early Lochkovian (earliest Devonian). U.K. A slender acanthodian of uncertain affinities, despite its well-described anatomy.
Fallodentus Valid. Givetian (Middle Devonian). Scotland. A cheiracanthid acanthodiform closely related to Homalacanthus.
Fanjingshania Valid. Aeronian (Early Silurian, Llandovery Epoch). China. A climatiiform, one of the earliest known acanthodean genus.
Fecundosquama Valid. Pridoli (late Silurian). Lithuania. A tchunacanthid based on scales.
Florestacanthus Valid. Late Frasnian to early Famennian (Late Devonian). Colombia. A diplacanthid diplacanthiform and one of the few acanthodians endemic to northwestern Gondwana (now South America).
Gemuendolepis Valid? Early Devonian. Germany. A poorly-described taxon based on scales.
Ginkgolepis Valid. Eifelian to Famennian? (Middle Devonian to Late Devonian). Estonia, Russia. A cheiracanthid acanthodiform based on scales.
Gladbachus Valid (non-acanthodian?). Givetian (Middle Devonian). Germany. A large filter-feeding stem-chondrichthyan, sometimes positioned among acanthodians despite its very dissimilar anatomy.
Gladiobranchus Junior synonym? Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A well-preserved diplacanthiform which may be synonymous with Uraniacanthus curtus.
Gomphacanthus Nomen dubium? Carboniferous. England. A possible gyracanthid based on a worn fin spine.
Gomphonchoporus Valid. Pridoli to Lochkovian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Europe, Australia, Canada, Greenland. A widespread poracanthodid based on scales.
Gomphonchus Valid. Ludlow to Emsian? (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Europe, Australia?, China? A widespread ischnacanthid primarily based on scales.
Granulacanthus Valid. Late Wenlock or early Ludlow (Silurian). Canada. A possible ischnacanthiform based on distinctive fin spines.
Grenfellacanthus Valid. Latest Famennian (latest Devonian). Australia. One of the youngest and largest ischnacanthids, nearly a meter in length.
Gyracanthides Valid. Pragian to Visean (Early Devonian to Mississippian). Worldwide. A long-lasting and widespread gyracanthid with flattened fin spines.
Gyracanthus Valid. Lochkovian to Moscovian (Early Devonian to Pennsylvanian) Europe, North America, Bolivia? The long-lasting namesake of the family Gyracanthidae.
Hanilepis Valid. Late Ludlow (late Silurian). China. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Halimacanthodes Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Australia. A howittacanthid acanthodiform, the only acanthodian known from the Gogo Formation lagerstätte.
Haplacanthus Valid. Eifelian to early Famennian (Middle Devonian to Late Devonian). Europe, Greenland. A cheiracanthid acanthodiform based on fin spines common in the areas corresponding to Baltica.
Helenacanthus Valid? (non-acanthodian) Emsian (Early Devonian). Wyoming, U.S.A. Has historically been considered acanthodian material, but probably armor from an actinolepid placoderm instead.
Helolepis Junior synonym. Emsian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Ohio, U.S.A. A junior synonym of Cheiracanthoides comptus.
Homacanthus Junior synonym? Eifelian (Middle Devonian) to Pennsylvanian? Europe, North America? An acanthodian based on fin spines, though many of its species and specimens have been reassigned to other taxa.
Homalacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Canada. A cheiracanthid acanthodiform known to have played a large role in the food chain of the Miguasha Lagerstätte.
Howittacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Australia. The abundant namesake of the acanthodiform family Howittacanthidae.
Iranolepis Valid. Early Frasnian (Late Devonian). Iran. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Ischnacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). U.K., Portugal. The abundant namesake of the ischnacanthiforms.
Kathemacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A Brochoadmones-like acanthodian from the MOTH locality, with a "necklace" of artichoke-shaped scales similar to those of chondrichthyans.
Laliacanthus Valid. Emsian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Europe, Saudi Arabia. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Latviacanthus Valid. "upper Lower Devonian" Latvia. A possible climatiid with large ischnacanthiform-like jaw plates.
Lenacanthus Valid. Early Llandovery (earliest Silurian). Russia. A tchunacanthid based on scales, one of the earliest acanthodians.
Lijiangichthys Valid. Pragian (Early Devonian). China. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Lodeacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Latvia. A mesacanthid acanthodiform known from a complete growth series.
Lupopsyrus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A MOTH locality acanthodian with two rows of enlarged scales on either side of its body.
Machaeracanthus Valid. Late Silurian to Eifelian (Middle Devonian). Worldwide. A widespread possible ischnacanthiform which occupies its own monotypic family.
Machaeraporus Valid. Pridoli to Lochkovian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Canada, Europe. A poracanthodid ischnacanthiform based on scales.
Markacanthus Valid. Eifelian to Givetian (Middle Devonian). Belarus, Scotland. A fairly typical cheiracanthid acanthodiform.
Marsdenius Valid. Mississippian / Early Carboniferous. England. An obscure possible ischnacanthid based on a specimen which is now lost.
Melanoacanthus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). Canada. A small mesacanthid acanthodiform with broad head plates.
Mesacanthus Valid. Early Devonian to Middle Devonian. Scotland. The small but fairly common namesake of the acanthodiform family Mesacanthidae.
Milesacanthus Valid. Pragian to Frasnian (Early Devonian to Late Devonian). Worldwide. A widespread diplacanthid diplacanthiform.
Minioracanthus Valid. Eifelian to Givetian (Middle Devonian). Europe. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Monopleurodus Valid. Pridoli (late Silurian). Estonia. Poorly-known.
Monospina Valid. Late Pridoli (latest Silurian). Latvia, Lithuania. An acritolepid ischnacanthiform based on scales.
Nerepisacanthus Valid. Ludlow to late Pridoli (late Silurian). Canada. An acritolepid ischnacanthiform and one of the most well-preserved Silurian acanthodians.
Nobilesquama Valid. Lochkovian to Emsian (Early Devonian). Russia. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Nodocosta Valid. Emsian to Frasnian (Early Devonian to Late Devonian). Europe, U.S.A. A possible climatiid based on fin spines.
Nodonchus Junior synonym? Lochkovian (Early Devonian). England, Saudi Arabia? Based on fin spines, but may be a junior synonym of Parexus.
Nostolepis Valid. Wenlock to early Frasnian (mid-Silurian to Late Devonian). Worldwide. One of the most widespread, long-lasting, and abundant acanthodians based primarily on scales.
Nostovicina Valid. Pridoli to Emsian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Worldwide. A widespread indeterminate acanthodian based on scales and fin spines.
Obruchevacanthus Valid. Late Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Spain. A poracanthodid ischnacanthiform closely related to Trundlelepis.
Obtusacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. An unusual MOTH locality gnathostome, likely an acanthodian closely related to true chondrichthyans. Despite lacking teeth, it was a predator with specialized lip scales.
Onchus Valid. Late Llandovery? to Famennian (early Silurian to Late Devonian). Europe, North America. A possible ischnacanthiform based on fin spines; may be one of the oldest known acanthodians.
Oracanthus Valid? Mississippian. Europe, North America. A poorly-known gyracanthid based on fin spines.
Orcadacanthus Valid. Middle Devonian. Scotland. A small mesacanthid based on species formerly placed in Acanthodes and Mesacanthus.
Paranostolepis Valid. Late Devonian. Canada. A poorly-known indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Parexus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). U.K. A climatiid with a massive first dorsal fin spine.
Paucicanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A MOTH locality acanthodian lacking spines on the pectoral and pelvic fins.
Pechoralepis Valid. Pridoli to Givetian (late Silurian to Middle Devonian). Russia, Antarctica. An acritolepid ischnacanthiform based on scales.
Peregrinosquama Valid. Lower Emsian (Early Devonian). Russia. An indeterminate acanthodian based on scales.
Persacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Iran, Russia, North America. An ischnacanthid very closely related to Atopacanthus.
Pinnacanthus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). Wyoming, U.S.A. An acanthodian based on fin spines.
Plectrodus Valid. Ludlow (late Silurian). England. An ischnacanthid commonly confused with Ischnacanthus.
Protodus Valid (non-acanthodian). Late Pragian to Emsian (Early Devonian). Canada. Chondrichthyan teeth originally misidentified as belonging to acanthodiians, due to their similarity to the teeth of a Nostolepis specimen from Scotland.
Podoliacanthus Valid. Pridoli? to Lochkovian (late Silurian? to Early Devonian). Greenland, Ukraine. A small ischnacanthid.
Poracanthodes Valid. Ludlow? to Pragian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Europe, North America. Namesake of the ischnacanthiform family Poracanthodidae.
Promesacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A mesacanthid acanthodiform from the MOTH locality, with small prepectoral spines similar to "climatiiforms".
Protogonacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Germany. A cheiracanthid acanthodiform preferring a marine environment.
Pruemolepis Valid? Emsian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Europe. A possible climatiid based on scales similar to some species of Nostolepis.
Pseudacanthodes Valid or junior synonym. Moscovian (Pennsylvanian / Late Carboniferous). Czechia. An eel-like acanthodid acanthodiform, possibly a junior synonym of Traquairichthys.
Ptomacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). England, Ukraine. One of the few non-Acanthodes acanthodians with a well-described braincase and gill system, helping to clarify the group's relations with other fishes.
Ptychodictyon Valid. Emsian to Givetian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Europe, U.S.A. A diplacanthid diplacanthiform based on scales.
Pucapampella Valid (non-acanthodian?). Eifelian to Givetian (Middle Devonian). Bolivia. A chondrichthyan-like braincase sometimes positioned among acanthodians.
Radioporacanthodes Valid. Ludlow to Emsian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Worldwide. A widespread poracanthodid ischnacanthiform primarily based on scales.
Rhadinacanthus Valid. Emsian to Famennian? (Early Devonian to Late Devonian). Europe, China, Canada. A diplacanthid diplacanthiform similar to, but distinct from, Diplacanthus.
Rockycampacanthus Valid. Late Emsian (Early Devonian). Australia. A distinctive marine ischnacanthid.
Rohonilepis Valid. Ludlow to Pridoli (late Silurian). Lithuania, Latvia. A possible ischnacanthid based on scales.
Sabrinacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). England. A climatiid with a large shoulder girdle.
Serradentus Valid. Late Givetian (Middle Devonian). Spitsbergen. A medium-sized ischnacanthiform.
Sevyacanthus Valid. Emsian (Early Devonian). U.S.A. A climatiid with complex spine plates.
Sinacanthus Valid (non-acanthodian). Silurian to Early Devonian. Asia. Namesake of the sinacanthids, a group of spined gnathostomes which are likely chondrichthyans.
Striacanthus Valid. Pragian to Frasnian (Early Devonian to Late Devonian). Europe, Australia. A diplacanthiform based on elongated fin spines.
Taemasacanthus Valid. Late Emsian (Early Devonian). Australia. A moderately large marine ischnacanthid.
Taimyrolepis Valid. Pridoli to Lochkovian (late Silurian to Early Devonian). Russia. A possible poracanthodid ischnacanthiform based on scales.
Tareyacanthus Valid. Pragian to Emsian (Early Devonian). Europe, Australia. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Tchunacanthus Valid. Late Llandovery (early Silurian). Russia. A tchunacanthid based on scales.
Teneracanthus Valid. Late Emsian to Famennian (Early Devonian to Late Devonian). Australia, Belgium. A mesacanthid acanthodiform closely related to Lodeacanthus.
Tetanopsyrus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A distinctive diplacanthiform from the MOTH locality.
Traquairia Junior synonym. Moscovian (Pennsylvanian / Late Carboniferous). Czechia. Junior synonym of Traquiairichthys.
Traquairichthys Valid. Moscovian to Leonardian? (Pennsylvanian / Late Carboniferous to Early Permian). Czechia, Greenland?, Texas, U.S.A.? An eel-like acanthodid acanthodiform.
Triazeugacanthus Valid. Frasnian (Late Devonian). Canada. A mesacanthid acanthodiform from the Miguasha Lagerstätte, with one of the best-known ontogenetic series of all acanthodians.
Tricuspicanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Canada. A small MOTH locality ischnacanthid.
Trundlelepis Valid. Lochkovian to Pragian (Early Devonian). Australia, Nevada, U.S.A.? A poracanthodid ischnacanthiform based on scales.
Uraniacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). U.K., Canada? A long-spined gladiobranchid diplacanthiform, sometimes misidentified as an ischnacanthiform.
Utahacanthus Valid. Namurian (early Pennsylvanian / Late Carboniferous). Utah, U.S.A. An acanthodid acanthodiform with three prominent otoliths.
Vernicomacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). U.K. A rare climatiid with denticulated fin spines.
Vesperalia Valid. Late Pridoli (late Silurian). Lithuania. A vesperaliid based on scales.
Watsonacanthus Valid. Emsian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Europe, Australia. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Wetteldorfia Valid. Lochkovian to Eifelian (Early Devonian to Middle Devonian). Germany, Spain, Australia, Saudi Arabia. A possible climatiid based on scales.
Xylacanthus Valid. Late Wenlock (mid-Silurian) to Pragian (Early Devonian). Spitsbergen, Canada. An ischnacanthid containing both the largest species of acanthodians (X. grandis at 2.5 meters long) and one of the oldest species (X. kenstewarti).
Yealepis Valid. Ludlow (late Silurian). Australia. A large but indeterminate acanthodian which seems to lack fin spines.
Zemlyacanthus Valid. Lochkovian (Early Devonian). Severnaya Zemlya, Russia. One of the few poracanthodid ischnacanthiforms known from articulated skeletons.

See also

References

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