Remains of Saurichthys (Pisces, Actinopterygii) from the Early Triassic Wordie Creek Formation of East Greenland

Abstract

Previously undescribed specimens of Saurichthys from the basal part of the Early Triassic Wordie Creek Formation (Griesbachian) of East Greenland demonstrate a remarkably complete squamation especially in the anterior trunk portion. Scales of the mid-lateral row are high and those of the mid-dorsal and mid-ventral rows broad and conspicuous by having a pronounced longitudinal keel on their inner surface; additional dorso-lateral and ventro-lateral scale rows are present. This pattern resembles that of Saurichthys dayi from the Early Triassic of Alberta and British Columbia. Differences in fin morphology suggest, however, that the Greenland form is probably not conspecific. A second Early Triassic species of Saurichthys occurring in East Greenland probably comes from a higher stratigraphic level (late Griesbachian to early Dienerian) with a different ichthyofaunal composition.