Rachitomi

Paraphyletic group of tetrapodomorphs
Diagram showing different types of tetrapod vertebrae, with rhachitomes in blue area at left.

The Rachitomi were a group of extinct Palaeozoic labyrinthodont amphibians, according to an earlier classification system.[1] They are defined by the structure of the vertebrae, having large semi-circular intercentra below the notochord and smaller paired though prominent pleurocentra on each side above and behind, forming anchoring points for the ribs.[1]

This form of complex backbone was found in some crossopterygian fish, the Ichthyostegalia, most Temnospondyli and some Reptiliomorpha. Primitive reptiles kept the complex rachitomous vertebrae, but with the pleurocentra being the more dominant. As a phylogenetic unit, the Rachitomi thus are a paraphyletic unit.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Kent, G.C. & Miller, L. (1997): Comparative anatomy of the vertebrates. 8th edition. Wm. C. Brown Publishers. Dubuque. 487 pages. ISBN 0-697-24378-8
  2. ^ Romer, A.S. & Parsons, T.S. (1985): The Vertebrate Body. (6th ed.) Saunders, Philadelphia.
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Tetrapodomorpha (Pan-Tetrapoda)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Clade: Osteichthyes
  • Clade: Sarcopterygii
  • Clade: Rhipidistia
Gnathostomata
    • see Gnathostomata
Tetrapodomorpha
    • see below↓
Rhizodontida
Canowindridae
Megalichthyidae
Eotetrapodiformes
Tristichopteridae
Elpistostegalia
Stegocephali (Tetrapoda sensu lato)
    • see below↓
Rhizodus sp.

Osteolepis macrolepidotus Eusthenopteron foordi

Tiktaalik rosae
Stegocephali (Tetrapoda sensu lato)
Elginerpetontidae
Aistopoda
Oestocephalidae
Phlegethontioidea
Phlegethontiidae
Whatcheeriidae
Colosteidae
Adelospondyli
Adelogyrinidae
"Nectridea"
    • see Nectridea
Baphetoidea
Baphetidae
Other post-
Devonian genera
Embolomeri
Gephyrostegidae
Other "anthracosaurs"
Tetrapoda
(crown group)
Temnospondyli (Batrachomorpha?)
Reptiliomorpha (Pan-Amniota)
    • see Reptiliomorpha
    • includes Amniota
Phlegethontia longissima

Acanthostega gunnari Crassigyrinus scoticus Eucritta melanolimnetes Archeria crassidisca

Bruktererpeton fiebigi
Paraphyletic /
Polyphyletic groups
Other topics
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