Type species: Bothriolepis ornata Eichwald, 1840, subsequently designated by Woodward (1891); Priksha River, Russia, upper Famennian Lnyanka Beds, Devonian.

1888 Bothriolepis or Pterychtis sp.; Lohest 1888: 60.

1889 Bothriolepis; Lohest 1889: 58.

1895 Bothriolepis canadensis; Lohest 1895: 39.

1931 Bothriolepis; Leriche 1931: 15, pl. 3.

1932 Bothriolepis lohesti; Gross 1932: 29.

1948 Bothriolepis lohesti; Stensiö 1948: 513.

1978 Bothriolepis lohesti; Denison 1978: 110.

Type material: No holotype was defined by Leriche (1931). Gross (1932) assigned as lectotype an AMD (Leriche 1931: pl. 3: 4), bearing now the number PALULG-2011.12.14.14A.

Type locality: Chèvremont, Liège Province, Belgium

Type horizon: Montfort/Evieux Formation, Famennian, Upper Devonian.

Material.—Partial headshield: UCL-P.V.L.10.621 (cast); AMD: PALULG-2011.12.14.15, PALULG-2011.12.14.16, PALULG-2011.12.14.17A; ADL: PALULG-2011.12.14.17B; ?ADL: IRSNB vert 5179-001; PMD: PALULG-2011.12.14.19, PALULG-2011.12.14.18; MxL: UCL-P.V.L.10.533, UCLP. V.L.10.668; AVL: PALULG-2011.12.14.20; pectoral fin: PALULG-2011.12.14.14B, PALULG-2011.12.14.21, PA L ULG-2011.12.14.22; CV1: UCL-P.V.L. 10.656, PAL ULG-2011.12.14.23A, IRSNB vert 5179-002; ML2: PALULG-2011.12.15.9, PALULG-2011.12.15.10, PALULG -2011.12.15.11, PALULG-2011.12.15.12, PALULG- -2011.12.15.13, PALULG-2011.12.14.23B. From Chèvremont and Vaux-sous-Chèvremont, both in Liège Province, Belgium, Montfort/Evieux Formation, Famennian, Upper Devonian. Chèvremont is the hill close to Vaux-sous-Chèvremont city. Old quarries and outcrops stretch between both localities. In old collections, there is often confusion between these two localities.

Description

Headshield.—Partial headshield (Fig. 3A): UCL-P.V.L.10.621 displays a partial headshield with the nuchal, paranuchal, premedian, and lateral plates in connection. It is badly preserved and the plate margins are difficult to observe. However it seems that the nuchal plate is excluded from the orbital fenestra. The postpineal notch forms a strong angle posteriorly, i.e., almost 90°. The central sensory line grooves and the principal section of infraorbital sensory line are well observed.

Trunkshield.—Anterior median dorsal plate, AMD (Fig. 3B, C): This plate is as long as wide. Externally, it is almost flat, with only a slight bulge on the dorsal median ridge. The latter is only defined by a longitudinal row of fused tubercles on PALULG-2011.12.14.16. The tergal angle is well marked and situated between the anterior and middle thirds of the plate. It is roughly of 45°. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are usually well defined. On PALULG-2011.12.14.14, the right posterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove is shortened or interrupted. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves run from the tergal angle and cut the posterior division of the lateral margin at the junction between its anterior and middle thirds. The anterior margin is fairly straight, except on PALULG-2011.12.14.14 where it is slightly concave and not convex as Stensiö (1948: 514) noticed. It is twice the length of the posterior margin. The antero-lateral and lateral corners are well defined. The posterior division of the lateral margin is as long as the anterior division except on the biggest AMD (PALULG-2011.12.14.14), where the posterior division is one third smaller than the anterior division. Only the right area overlapped by the mixilateral plate is observable (PALULG-2011.12.14.14). It is quite small. The posterior lateral margin displays a sigmoid shape, as observed in a specimen of B. canadensis (Stensiö 1948: fig. 182) and suggesting that the AMD both overlaps and is overlapped by the MxL. Internally, the AMD shows a triangular-shaped levator fossa stretching on all the anterior third length. It is limited laterally by fairly conspicuous postlevator thickenings, observable directly on PALULG-2011.12.14.16 and indirectly on impressions of the visceral surface (PALULG-2011.12.14.15 and PALULG-2011.12.14.17A). The postlevator cristae are quite sharp and high. Their confluence is located at the posterior edge of the anterior ventral pit . The median ventral ridge and ventral median groove are well marked.

Posterior median dorsal plate, PMD (Fig. 3D): The anterior margin is convex, with an obtuse median corner. The lateral process is well developed and extended. In fact, the margin between the lateral corner and postero-lateral corner is quite long compared to what is observed in Bothriolepis canadensis (Stensiö 1948: text-fig. 138A–R). The lateral margin situated in front of the lateral corner and running to the antero-lateral corner is straight. The posterior margin is convex, with an obtuse median angle. The plate is slightly arched with a low dorsal median ridge. The dorsal median ridge extends almost straight from the anterior angle to the posterior angle area.

Anterior dorso-lateral plate, ADL (Fig. 3E): Only the anterior part of a left ADL, in internal view, is preserved in the material. Both lateral and dorsal anterior laminae are present. The anteriormost part of the plate is hidden by a displaced AMD. The articulation area with the headshield is thus not observable. The ventral margin is convex on the preserved anterior part. The notch, for the external postlevator process of the AMD, is smooth and the postnuchal corner strongly developed. The dorso-medial margin is concave along all its preserved length. The anterior part of the lateral lamina is twice less wide than the median part. The dorso-lateral ridge is well pronounced, and the lateral lamina forms an angle of almost 150° with the dorsal lamina, but that value may be incorrect as a result of compression. The main lateral line groove is not directly observed, but suggested by a tiny edge running along the length of the lateral lamina that tends to join the dorso-lateral ridge anteriorly and to remain parallel to the dorso-lateral ridge posteriorly.

Mixilateral plate, MxL (Fig. 3F): As Stensiö (1948) noticed for Bothriolepis canadensis, the lateral lamina of MxL is often missing, crushed, compressed or damaged. It is the case in the available material of Bothriolepis lohesti, where the lateral lamina is crushed and damaged. Because of its bad preservation, it is difficult to evaluate the angle between the lateral and dorsal laminae. However, the specimen UCLP. V.L.10.668 shows quite a well preserved area of transition between these two laminae and suggests that the angle is approximately 150°, as noticed for the ADL, with a sharp prominent dorso-lateral ridge. The crushed lateral lamina, in that specimen, presents a broad area overlapped by the PVL. The area overlapped by the posterior median dorsal plate is long and narrow. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove crosses the anterior part of the dorso-medial margin and ends in the posterior third of the dorsal lamina.

Anterior ventro-lateral plate, AVL (Fig. 3G): This plate is badly preserved, with the anterior part and the lateral lamina damaged. The length of this plate is at least twice the width. The angle between the ventral and lateral laminae is roughly of 160°, and the ventro-lateral ridge is smooth. The subcephalic division is not well preserved. The posterior margin of the ventral lamina is straight and the posterior ventro-lateral corner well defined. The different portions of the medial margin seem straight but this is not obvious, because they are badly preserved. The brachial process is almost entirely damaged but the axillary foramen is observable and quite small. Internally, the crista transversalis interna anterior is well developed, as well as the transverse thickening on the visceral surface and the depression between the two cristae.

Pectoral fin (Fig. 3H).—PALULG-2011.12.14.22 and PALULG-2011.12.14.21 present only a part of the pectoral fin proximal segment, in ventral view. It is a long segment with the estimated width being approximately one quarter the length. It is quite incomplete because only the ventral central plate 1 and lateral marginal plate 2 are clearly preserved and connected. The margins of these plates are not well defined and the presence or absence of the ventral central plate 2 cannot be checked. The mesial marginal plates 1 and 2 are not observable. The material also comprises isolated plates referred to CV1 and ML2. The ventral central plate 1 is more than twice longer than broad. The external ventral articular area is well developed. The ventro-medial margin is prominent on the largest specimen (UCL-P.V.L. 10.656). Lateral spines are numerous and closely set. These spines are not very elongated but strong and quite sharp. Basally all the spines are fused to a lamina, forming a tiny lateral crest.

Ornament.—On the dorsal elements, the ornament is coarse, with well-marked tubercles. “Short pieces of ridges with very few anastomoses” can also be observed on the material. “The pieces of ridges are clearly nodose and somewhat vermiculating” (Stensiö 1948: 515). The ornament is the same on all the plates. However, the ornament of the pectoral fin proximal segment, for specimens of the same size, can be either reticulate or nodose (PALULG-2011.12.14.21 and PALULG-2011.12.14.22), a retention of immature character already noticed by Stensiö (1948) for B.canadensis. The uniformity of the ornamentation and the equivalent size of all the plates suggest that all the material belongs to the same species.

Remarks.—On the AMD, the strongly developed ventral median ridge, the slightly marked dorsal median ridge and the lack of anterior oblique dorsal sensory line, indicate that these plates belong to an adult specimens (Stensiö 1948). The relative breadth of the proximal segment of the pectoral fin and numerous few developed lateral spines argue for the same conclusion (Stensiö 1948).

The remains of this taxon were first noticed by Lohest (1888: 60), who referred them to the genera “Bothriolepis or Pterychtis”, and then to the genus Bothriolepis (Lohest 1889: 58). Later, the same author (Lohest 1895: 39) assigned these remains to Bothriolepis canadensis. They consisted of “une tête complète, des organes natatoires et de nombreuses plaques dorsales et ventrales” (Lohest 1895: 39), i.e., a complete head, swimming appendages and numerous dorsal and ventral plates. Finally, Leriche (1931) studied this material and found only several anterior median dorsal plates, dorsolateral plates and pectoral fins. In the present study, I have considered the historical material examined by Lohest (1888, 1889, 1895), Leriche (1931), and new material in the Université de Liège and in the Université Catholique de Louvainla-Neuve collections. There is no trace of the complete head, never figured, and of the ventral plates studied by Lohest (1895). Leriche (1931) did not assign the historical material to B. canadensis because of (i) the more anastomosed ornamentation of B. canadensis, (ii) the different internal side of the anterior median dorsal plate, and (iii) the less developed lateral spines of the lateral marginal plate 2 of B. canadensis. He therefore assigned this material to a new species, Bothriolepis lohesti, and concluded that B. lohesti is a relative of B. canadensis and Bothriolepis hydrophila. According to Stensiö (1948), B. lohesti resembles B. canadensis by the development of the ornament, whereas it recalls B. hydrophila by the general shape of the AMD.

In the adult stage, B. canadensis could reach a total armour length of 18–19 cm (Stensiö 1948: 224), which corresponds approximately to a trunk armour length of 12–13 cm. This is different from B. lohesti, which reached a maximum trunk armour length of 8 cm. The shape of the anterior median dorsal plate of B. lohesti is quite similar to that of B. canadensis except that the dorsal median ridge is more pronounced in B. canadensis. Internally, and as noticed by Leriche (1931: 17), the postlevator cristae of B. lohesti are rather sharper than those of B. canadensis. Concerning the posterior median dorsal plate, both plates of both species are quite similar, except that the lateral process of B. lohesti is longer and more extended. On the anterior dorso-lateral plate of B. canadensis, the notch for the external postlevator process of AMD is pronounced. This is not the case for B. lohesti, where this notch is smooth. Leriche (1931: 18) argues that the spines of the pectoral fin lateral margin are more developed in B. lohesti than in B. canadensis. According to the variability shown by B. canadensis in this respect, it seems that several specimens of this species present spines that are similar to those observed in B. lohesti (i.e., Stensiö 1948: 355, fig. B). This criterion can consequently not discriminate the two species. Concerning the ornament, Stensiö (1948: 515) argued that the development of the ornament of B. lohesti “reminds mostly of large individuals of B. canadensis”. In fact, in the adult stage, both can present a coarse ornament with tubercles and short pieces of ridges with very few anastomoses on the dorsal elements. Even if the adult ornament of B. canadensis can be more complicated, with frequent stellate tubercles at their bases, in general the ornament in both species is quite similar. Concerning the ornament on the proximal segment of the pectoral fin, B. canadensis often retains immature, reticular characters (Stensiö 1948). It is also observed for B. lohesti, with proximal segments showing a reticulate or nodose ornament (PALULG-5011 and PALULG-5012).

Bothriolepis hydrophila was certainly described on the basis of juvenile material (Stensiö 1948; Miles 1968). The comparison with other Bothriolepis species is therefore difficult. The trunk armour length of that species is maximally about 9 cm (Stensiö 1948). This corresponds to the trunk armour length of B. lohesti, which is of 8 cm. Contrary to the quite flat dorsal wall of B. lohesti, the dorsal wall of B. hydrophila is somewhat elevated, with a strongly developed dorsal median ridge. In both species, the anterior median dorsal plate is approximately as long as broad and the tergal angle is situated between the anterior and middle thirds of this plate. In both species, the postnuchal notch and external postlevator process are slightly developed or absent. The anterior median dorsal plate of B. lohesti overlaps the mixilateral plate but is also overlapped by that plate. This pattern is also observed in certain specimens of B. hydrophila (Stensiö 1948: 508, fig. 262B; Miles 1968: fig. 30). The posterior median dorsal plate of B. lohesti possesses stronger and more extended lateral processes than in B. hydrophila. The lateral spines of the pectoral fin proximal segment of both species are quite similar, i.e., broad and rather sharp. They are more numerous in B. lohesti than in B. hydrophila. Concerning the ornament, it is of a reticulate type and of uniform distribution in B. hydrophila. In one specimen (Miles 1968: pl. 19: 5) the ornament is both reticulate and tubercular. The ornament of B. lohesti is tuberculate but corresponds to the ornament of adult specimens, contrary to that of B. hydrophila.

Lukševičs (2001) noticed that B. lohesti and Bothriolepis jani Lukševičs, 1986 differ in that the AMD is less arched and the ornament consists of tubercles and nodose ridges in B. lohesti. He also noticed that the two species are similar in the shape and proportions of the AMD and in the sutural connections between AMD and MxL and concluded that they may be phylogenetically very close. The new material of B. lohesti, studied in this article, brings new insights in the comparison of the two species. B. lohesti differs also from B. jani by (i) the postpineal notch of the nuchal plate, which forms a strong angle posteriorly (rounded in B. jani), (ii) the well developed lateral processes of the PMD, (iii) the less arched dorsal median ridge (on the AMD and on the PMD), and (iv) the well developed postnuchal corner of the ADL. Therefore, the new material studied here slightly modifies Lukševičs' (2001) conclusion: both species seem phylogenetically less close than previously thought.

The material characterising B. lohesti has been completed with new specimens in collections. Even if this material is poor, and B. lohesti is only known by some elements of the trunk armour and pectoral fin, this species appears quite different from the other species of Bothriolepis, e.g., B. canadensis, B. jani, and B. hydrophila, and its status is not reconsidered. B. hydrophila is defined on juvenile material and, as noticed by Stensiö (1948) and Werdelin and Long (1986) for B. canadensis, ontogenetic changes are numerous from juvenile to adult. Therefore it is injudicious to use such material for morphological comparisons. However, B. hydrophila continues to be widely used for comparisons with other Bothriolepis species defined on adult characters and is included in phylogenetic analyses (Young 1988; Lukševičs 2001), whereas the data included in the matrix might reflect the growth stage. More data on adult material is necessary for comparisons with B. lohesti.

Stratigraphic and geographic range.—Famennian, Upper Devonian of Belgium.

Material.—AMD: PALULG-2011.12.15.13, PALULG-2011.12.15.14, PALULG-2011.12.15.15, UCL-P.V.L.10.646, UCL.P.V.L.10.697; MxL: UCL-P.V.L.10.624; AVL: PALULG-2011.12.15.16; ?CV1: PALULG-2011.12.15.17. From Modave quarry, also known as Pont-de-Bonne, Bonne Valley, Liège Province, Belgium, upper part of the Evieux Formation, Famennian, Upper Devonian.

Description

Trunkshield.—Anterior median dorsal plate, AMD (Fig. 4A, B): This plate is as long as wide. Externally, it is smoothly arched. The tergal angle is situated slightly in front of the transition between the anterior and middle thirds of the plate. It is of roughly 45°. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are clearly observed. The dorsal median ridge is weakly defined and runs from the tergal angle to the posterior margin. The anterior margin is concave and slightly longer than the posterior one. The external postlevator process is well defined and prominent. The lateral and the postero-lateral corners are clearly observable. The posterior median process is well defined. The maximal width of the plate is at the lateral corners. The width at the postlevator processes is slightly inferior. The anterior part of the lateral margin is twice the length of the posterior part. Internally, the postlevator thickenings are low but well denoted, the triangular-shaped levator fossa gently deep and the anterior ventral pit oval and tiny. The anterior part of the area overlapping ADL is well extended. These internal characters are only observable on the largest AMD (Fig. 3A₂), which is the only one being preserved in internal view.

Mixilateral plate, MxL (Fig. 4C): The lateral lamina is not preserved and the dorsal lamina presents a damaged surface. The anterior part of the dorso-medial margin is straight and measures half the length of the posterior part. The dorso-medial corner, that separates them, is well defined. The length of the straight posterior margin equals the length of the slightly convex anterior margin. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove is slightly marked and runs from the dorso-medial corner area to the limit between the anterior and middle thirds of the plate. Such a course is unusual for the posterior oblique dorsal sensory line. Thus, the identification of this plate could be misinterpreted.

Anterior ventro-lateral plate, AVL (Fig. 4D): This plate is only known in ventral view and is moderately well preserved. The ventral lamina is quite elongated and equals three times its width. The subcephalic division is roughly one third of the total plate length. The crista transversalis interna anterior is well developed, as is also the transverse thickening on the visceral surface and the depression between both cristae. The lateral lamina is so compressed that it is impossible to evaluate the angle made posteriorly by the ventro-lateral ridge. The pectoral joint area is observable but quite difficult to interpret because of the bad preservation. Nevertheless, quite a large axillary foramen is observable.

Pectoral fin.—Only one element of the pectoral fin is preserved. It is a fragment of the proximal segment, a ventral or a dorsal central plate 1 (Fig. 4E). The only element allowing this attribution is the rounded articular surface. An accurate attribution is impossible due to the very poor preservation.

Ornament.—The ornament is the same for all the plates described above, that is, a reticulate ornament composed of a smooth and regular network of interconnecting ridges.

Remarks.—The material described above is not sufficient to erect a new species, because there is not enough material, and because much of it is considered as belonging to half-mature individuals. This is the case of 5 out of 6 AMDs. Actually, they display several juvenile characters such as the presence of oblique transverse depressions and oblique transverse ridges, a developed posterior median process and a reticulate ornament. The length of these plates does not exceed 1.5 cm. However, they also display adult characters, such as a weak dorsal median ridge and the absence, at least not observable, of anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves. This mixture of juvenile and adult characters argues for half-mature individuals. AMD PALULG-2011.12.15.14 is bigger, roughly twice the width of the other AMDs, but its poor preservation does not provide much information. It could represent either adult material or belong to a different species. They are grouped here for convenience only.

The other trunk and pectoral plates are not in the same size range as the half mature AMDs. However they present exactly the same ornamentation, and this is why they are considered conspecific with the AMDs.

As Stensiö (1948: 211) noticed in the “Bothriolepinae”, “certain formations were entirely reduced during the growth, whereas others appeared”. The ornament is also modified during the growth. “In consequence of these changes young and mature individuals always differ considerably from each other in several of their characters” (Stensiö 1948). Long and Werdelin (1986), Werdelin and Long (1986) and Johanson (1998) quantified these variations. Thus, it seems inappropriate to erect a new species of bothriolepid on the basis of juvenile or half-mature material. Therefore the Bothriolepis material from Modave, which is clearly half-mature (see below) and too fragmentary, is put in open nomenclature in this paper.

Type species: Grossilepis tuberculata (Gross, 1941); Bank of Pērse River near Koknese, Latvia, Lower Frasnian Pļaviņas Formation, Devonian.

2009 Bothriolepis; Clément and Prestianni 2009: 107: pl. 3: 2.

Etymology: From French colloquial language word rikiki, small; referring to the small size of the new species. According to article 31.2.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the name “rikiki” is to be treated as indeclinable because it is not a Latin or Latinized word.

Type material: Holotype: AMD: IRSNB P.9255a, b. Paratypes: Skull roof: IRSNB P.9253a, b; AMD: IRSNB P.9254; PMD: IRSNB P.9256a, b; CV1: IRSNB P.9258a, b; ML2: IRSNB P.9257.

Type locality: Strud, Namur Province, Belgium (IRSNB P.9255, IRSNB P.9254, IRSNB P.9258, IRSNB P.9257) and Moresnet, Liège Province, Belgium (IRSNB P.9253, IRSNB P.9256).

Type horizon: Evieux Formation, upper Famennian, Upper Devonian (IRSNB P.9255, IRSNB P.9254, IRSNB P.9258, IRSNB P.9257); Montfort/Evieux Formation, upper Famennian, Upper Devonian (IRSNB P.9253, IRSNB P.9256).

Material.—AMD: IRSNB vert 31594-001a, b; PMD: IRSNB vert 6845-001, PALULG-2011.12.15.18; CV1: IRSNB vert 31594-008a, b, IRSNB vert 32164-002a, b; ML2: IRSNB vert 31594-004a, b, IRSNB vert 31594-005a, b, IRSNB vert 31594-006a, b, IRSNB vert 31594-007a, b, IRSNB vert 31594-009a, b, IRSNB vert 31913-001a, b, IRSNB vert 31913-002a–c, IRSNB vert 32164-001. From Strud, Namur Province, Belgium, Evieux Formation, upper Famennian, Upper Devonian. IRSNB vert 15025-001a, b, from Moresnet, Liège Province, Belgium, Famennian, Upper Devonian.

Diagnosis.—Small bothriolepidoid with estimated length of dorsal wall of trunk-armour reaching about 4–5 cm. Headshield moderately vaulted, with a large orbital fenestra. Lateral plates elongated. Nuchal plate with an obtected nuchal area extending along the entire breadth of the plate, with a medial, complex posterior median process displaying several straight fingerings. Lateral division of the paranuchal plate almost as broad as the median division. Dorsal wall of trunk armour quite arched, with a well developed dorsal median ridge. Tergal angle situated between the anterior and middle thirds of the plate. Levator fossa well marked. Anterior margin of the anterior median dorsal plate sinusoidal and 1.5 times the length of the posterior margin. Area of the AMD overlapped by the posterior median dorsal plate quite extended, with a strong posterior median process. Area of the AMD overlapping the anterior dorso-lateral plate extended, and area overlapping the mixilateral plate elongated. Lateral processes of the posterior median dorsal plate quite extended. Lateral marginal plate 2 very elongate, up to six times longer than broad, with the mesial corner located very anterior. Ornament clearly nodose on the skull roof and anterior median dorsal plate and reticulate to nodose on the pectoral fin bones.

Description

Headshield (Fig. 5A).—The anterior portion of the nuchal plate and the postpineal plate are not preserved, but it seems, however, that the orbital fenestra reaches a large size. Two symmetric elements are badly preserved in the fenestra. They could belong to the sclerotic ring and could be anterior sclerotic plates based on their position in the fenestra.

Premedian plate, Prm.—This plate is broader than long. The breadth is maximal at the anterior margin and gently decreases until it reaches half the value at the posterior margin. The principal section of infraorbital sensory line is not easily observed, because of the damaged bone.

Lateral plate, La.—This plate is rather long. It is narrow in its anterior part and broad in its posterior part. The orbital margin is concave, with the highest flexure at the middle length of the plate. The posterior portion of the plate, adjoining the nuchal and paranuchal plates, is quite narrow. The principal section of infraorbital sensory line (runs in the medial part of the plate. The branch of infraorbital sensory line is quite long. There is no trace of central sensory line grooves.

Nuchal plate, Nu.—The anterior part of the plate is not preserved. The posterior portion of the lateral margin is long and concave. The objected nuchal area extends along the entire breadth of the plate. It bears medially a posterior median process with several posterior straight fingerings. There is no observable trace of central sensory line grooves.

Paranuchal plate, Pn.—The principal section of the infraorbital sensory line crosses the plate in its middle. The lateral division of the plate is almost as broad as the median division. The postmarginal plate completes the lateral corner of the skull roof.

Trunkshield.—Anterior median dorsal plate, AMD (Fig. 5B, D): This plate is slightly longer than broad. Externally, the plate is arched with a salient and well-developed dorsal median ridge forming an obtuse angle, and running from the tergal angle backwards to the posterior margin. The tergal angle is situated between the anterior and middle thirds of the plate. The top of the dorsal median ridge forms a tiny flat strip on IRSNB P.9254, probably resulting from the post-mortem wear of a sharper dorsal median ridge. This strip is absent on the other AMDs. The anterior margin, 1.5 times the length of the posterior margin, is sinusoidal and the antero-lateral corners are well marked. The breadth at the level of the antero-lateral corners is slightly shorter than at that of the medio-lateral corners. The anterior part of the lateral margin, thus joining both corners, is concave. The posterior part of the same margin is quite straight and slightly shorter than the anterior part. The posterior margin is clearly concave. Underneath, the area overlapped by the posterior median dorsal plate is quite extended and the posterior median process salient. On IRSNB P.9254, the slightly marked left anterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove runs in a smooth depression corresponding internally to the area between the levator fossa and postlevator thickening, from the tergal angle toward the lateral margin. It seems to stop gently before the lateral margin. The right anterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove is not observable. On IRSNB vert 15025-001, both anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are present but very slightly marked, whereas the posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are strongly marked. There is a slight bilateral asymmetry of the posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves of IRSNB P.9254. The right dlg2 forms a sharper angle with the median dorsal ridge than does the left one. Internally the levator fossa is well marked and the postlevator thickenings quite hilly. The anterior ventral pit (is oval and elongated, the median ventral ridge sharp and the ventral median groove (grm) elongated. The areas overlapping the anterior dorso-lateral plates (cf. ADL) and those overlapping the mixilateral plates are quite extended.

Posterior median dorsal plate, PMD (Fig. 5E): The PMD is slightly wider than long. The maximum width is across the lateral corners but the plate is quite uniform in breadth throughout its extent. The anterior margin is convex and the anterior median corner obtuse. The antero-lateral corner is located at the first anterior third of the plate. The lateral process is well marked with prominent lateral and postero-lateral corners. The postero-lateral corners are obtuse. The posterior margin is convex and the posterior median corner protruding. The plate is quite arched with a well-defined dorsal median ridge. The crista transversalis interna posterior is smooth and quite hilly.

Pectoral fin.—Ventral central plate 1, CV1 (Fig. 5F): The posterior part is not preserved but this plate is at least twice longer than broad. The external ventral articular area is well preserved. The lateral corner is smooth. The ventro-medial margin is well marked.

Lateral marginal plate 2, ML2 (Fig. 5C): This plate is at least six times longer than broad. This is a very elongate bone. The obtuse mesial corner, usually located at the middle length of the plate, occupies here a very anterior position (well observed on IRSNB vert 31594-007). The anterior part of the mesial margin is thus short. The slight incision on the posterior part of the mesial margin corresponds certainly to the anterior end of the notch for the dorsal central plate 2. The lateral margin is convex and bears spines that are numerous, slightly spaced out and mostly turned proximally.

Ornament.—The ornament on the anterior median dorsal plate is nodose; composed of a delicate and regular network of interconnecting ridges with tubercles developed at the junctions between ridges. On the ML2 plates, the ornament is reticulate (IRSNB vert 31913-002) or nodose (IRSNB vert 31594-009).

Remarks.—Bothriolepis canadensis is known for all its growth stages (Stensiö 1948). Referring to Stensiö's observations, and considering that the genus Bothriolepis is closely related to the genus Grossilepis, the material described here is certainly from half-mature individuals. In fact, the material presents a combination of (i) juvenile characters, i.e., ornament reticulate to nodose, large orbito-nasal fenestra (Werdelin and Long [1986] and Cloutier [2010] made the same observation), dorsal median ridge well developed, anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves present on several AMDs, anterior dorsal depression corresponding ventrally to the position of the postlevator thickening and posterior median process strongly developed; and (ii) mature characters, i.e., absence of central sensory line grooves on the skull roof, slightly-marked anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves, absence of the second anterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove on IRSNB P.9254 and presence of some tubercles in the ornament.

The bothriolepidid material from Strud and Moresnet is assigned to the genus Grossilepis based on the AMD overlap relations with the surrounding plates. Indeed, the AMD overlapping both the ADL and MxL is one of the diagnostic characters of the genus Grossilepis. Since no MxL or ADL of this taxon has been found, it is impossible to check the presence of the other diagnostic characters of this genus.

The genus Grossilepis includes three named species. G. tuberculata, from the Frasnian of Latvia, Lithuania and Russia (Gross 1941; Stensiö 1948; Lukševičs 2001), is the oldest described species of the genus, and the most complete one. It was described on the basis of numerous adult plates and its validity is not discussed here. G. spinosa, from the Middle Frasnian of Latvia (Gross 1942; Lukševičs 2001), was first described as Bothriolepis spinosa Gross, 1942. It was reassigned, with reservations, to the genus Grossilepis by Stensiö (1948: 615) in regard to “the shape of certain of its dermal bones, the sutural connection of the AMD and MxL plate, and the ornament”. Lukševičs (2001) confidently assigned this species to the genus Grossilepis. G. brandi from the Frasnian of Scotland (Miles 1968) was described on the basis of very few remains. The AMD, ADL, and MxL are absent, so the diagnostic characters of the genus are impossible to check. The attribution of G. brandi to Grossilepis is therefore doubtful and it is proposed here to consider this species as a nomen dubium.

Grossilepis rikiki from Strud and Moresnet differs chiefly from G. tuberculata by (i) the shape of the lateral plate, which is larger in G. tuberculata, (ii) the shape of the orbital fenestra, larger in G. rikiki, (iii) the complex obtected nuchal area of the nuchal plate, (iv) the shape of the AMD, which is narrower in G. tuberculata, (v) the absence of central sensory line grooves on the nuchal and lateral plates, (vi) the overlapping areas of the AMD, which are clearly more developed in G. rikiki, (vii) the size of the dorsal wall of the trunk armour, G. tuberculata possesses a longer trunk armour roof, and (viii) by the ornament, tuberculate for G. tuberculata and mainly nodose for the Grossilepis species from Strud and Moresnet. It differs from G. spinosa in characters (iii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii) and by the size and shape of the lateral spines of the proximal segment of the pectoral fin, which are strongly developed in G. spinosa.

Matukhin et al. (1980) described a species of Grossilepis (remaining in open nomenclature) from the Frasnian of Russia in the Marshrutninskaya locality, Krasnoyarsk region (northwestern Siberian Platform). Moloshnikov (2012) states that this species differs from the other species of Grossilepis by its narrow AMD and the short posterior margin of the AMD. It differs from G. rikiki by those characters too, but also by a more elongated levator fossa, less extended areas overlapping MxLs and ADLs, smoother lateral corners and the absence of antero-lateral corners.

Although the material from Moresnet and Strud seems to be half-mature nature, the differences with the few other species of Grossilepis, from a morphological and a stratigraphical point of views, are enough to justify the erection of a new species.

Stratigraphic and geographic range.—Type locality and horizon only.

Type species: Asterolepis ornata Eichwald, 1840; Baltic States, Gauja Formation, Upper Givetian, Devonian.

1965 Asterolepis; Gross 1965: 3–5, fig. 1.

Material.—Nu: IRSNB P.1456; Pp: IRSNB P.1457; PMD: IRSNB P.1458; AVL: IRSNB P.1459a, b; CV1: IRSNB P.1460, IRSNB P.1461a, b; MM1: IRSNB P.1463; distal part of the pectoral fin: IRSNB P.1462a, b. From Hingeon, Namur Province, Belgium, Mazy Member, Bois de Bordeaux Formation, Upper Givetian, Middle Devonian.

Description

Headshield.—Nuchal plate, Nu (Fig. 6B, C).—Only the middle part of this plate is preserved. The posterior margin is convex with a small posterior median process on the objected nuchal area. A portion of the anterior margin is preserved. It constitutes a part of the postpineal notch. The middle pit-line groove is well marked and connected to the supratemporal pit-line groove, in turn linked to the external openings for the endolymphatic duct.

Postpineal plate, Pp (Fig. 6A, C): It is preserved almost entire, on the same block as the nuchal plate, but disconnected. It fits well with the shape of the preserved part of the postpineal notch of the nuchal plate. Thus, both plates certainly belonged to the same individual. The postpineal plate is broader than long. Anteriorly, it shows the limits of a smaller plate corresponding to a younger growth stage.

Trunkshield.—Posterior median dorsal plate, PMD (Fig. 6D): The PMD is relatively small compared to the rest of the material and might correspond to a juvenile individual. The dorsal median ridge and median ventral ridge are very sharp, forming an angle of about 90°. This plate tapers towards the anterior end. It displays an extended lateral process and a smooth posterior angle . The area overlapping the AMD (is extended, contrary to the narrow areas overlapping MxLs.

Anterior ventro-lateral plate, AVL (Fig. 6E, F): The subcephalic part is missing and the posterior part is badly preserved. The articular area with the pectoral girdle is missing too. Only the axillary foramen is present as a mold in the matrix. The ventral lamina is better preserved than the lateral one. The ventro-lateral ridge forms an angle of about 140°. The area overlapped by the right AVL is slightly observable medio-anterally. Concentric lines are present on the visceral surface of the ventral and lateral laminae.

Pectoral fin.—Ventral central plate 1, CV1 (Fig. 7A, F): There are two specimens from Hingeon: a small one and a large one. They are both incomplete in the posterior portion. The ventro-medial margin is prominent and the external ventral articular area quite extended.

Medial marginal plate 1, Mm1 (Fig. 7E): This plate is entirely preserved and relatively short. The proximal part is forked and unornamented whereas the distal part is ornamented. It is crossed proximo-distally by the pectoral pit-line groove. The posterior margin is slightly sinusoidal.

Distal part of the pectoral fin (Fig. 7B–D): A large part of the pectoral fin distal segment is preserved in ventral view. Neither the anteriormost part, nor the posteriormost part is preserved. The medial marginal plate 4 displays laterally short, spaced spines that are absent on the distal part of the plate. Gross (1965) noticed that a medial marginal plate 5 could be attached to the Mm4 but this is not observable. On the contrary, it is linked to the ventral central plate 4 (Cv4) by a strong edge. The posterior part of this plate is narrow, whereas the anterior part is large and flattened. It certainly corresponds to the insertion area of the pectoral fin proximal segment. Immersed in water or alcohol, the limit between the Cv4 and the lateral marginal 5 (ML5) is clearly observed. The ML5 is a long plate with a regular width. Its posterior limit is neither observable nor preserved. The terminal plate is not preserved, but a fragment of its impression might be present on the counterpart of the pectoral fin distal segment. However, its limits are not distinguishable.

Ornament.—The ornament is tuberculate on the nuchal plate. On the postpineal plate, some tubercles fuse to form small ridges. Some of them radiate from the centre of the plate. On the posterior median dorsal plate, Gross (1965: 4) defined the ornament as forming ramparts (“Wallbildung”). It is rather a reticulate ornament with some tubercles present. On the anterior ventro-lateral plate, the ornament is clearly tuberculate, with tubercles arranged in parallel rows. As for the ventral central plate 1, it bears few small, spaced tubercles, and the medial marginal plate bears huge, rough tubercles sometimes associated. The distal segment of the pectoral fin is devoid of ornament.

Remarks.—Compared to what Gross (1965) published the present work provides further details and the counterparts of some plates are figured here. The drawings made by Gross are very accurate and have been used here for the figures.

Gross (1965) described an indeterminate species of antiarch from the Givetian of Hingeon (Asterolepis sp. 1 in this paper). In spite of the small number of plates preserved, he assigned this form to Asterolepis, because all the bones matched that genus, and not those of other genera of antiarch. In fact, Pterichthyodes and Byssacanthus display shorter and wider postpineal plates. In Gerdalepis, the same plate bulges forward. The genus Bothriolepis is excluded because its medial marginal plate 1 is longer and narrower. The genus Remigolepis was not considered by Gross (1965), but the species from Hingeon clearly differs from that genus, notably by the organization of the pectoral fin plates. To date, and without supplementary material, the attribution of this material to Asterolepis by Gross (1965) is not reappraised and seems correct. He considered that the Asterolepis material from Hingeon resembles more A. ornata than any other species, but that the material was insufficient to assign it to any particular species of Asterolepis. His cautiousness is here followed.

Material.—Unassigned plate of the trunk shield: IRSNB P.9260; Cd1: IRSNB P.9259. From Burtaux quarry, locality Alvaux, Mazy, Gembloux, Namur Province, Belgium. Alvaux Member, Bois de Bordeaux Formation, Givetian, Middle Devonian.

Description

Trunkshield.—Unassigned plate (Fig. 8A): The assignment of that plate is not possible due to the very bad preservation. It is a lateral plate of the trunk shield as indicated by the presence of two laminae separated by a strong angle.

Pectoral fin.—Dorsal central plate 1, Cd1 (Fig. 8B): A well preserved specimen is available. It is rather long. The external dorsal articular area anterior to the unornamented area, is finely covered with tiny meshes. The posterior margin, articulating with the dorsal central plate 2, is concave. The margin, articulating with the medial marginal plate 2 is elongated and strongly concave, as in Asterolepis ornata. On the lateral margin, the lateral corner is quite prominent. The medial margin is slightly damaged but no spine is observable.

Ornament.—The ornament of Asterolepis sp. 2 is rather reticulate. On the unassigned plate, the ornament also consists of fine, rounded and flat tubercles arranged in a concentric and radiating pattern.

Remarks.—The shape of the dorsal central plate and the rounded, flat tubercles of the ornamentation support the Asterolepis identification. The dorsal central plate strongly resembles the dorsal central plate of A. ornata (Gross 1931: pl. 5: 1a). Possibly, the specimens from Mazy could belong to the same form as the one from Hingeon. The amount and quality of the material in both localities is unfortunately not sufficient to confirm this conclusion.

Type species: Remigolepis incisa (Woodward, 1900); Ymer Island, south of the Dusen Fjord, East Greenland, Famennian, Devonian.

2009 Bothriolepis; Clément and Prestianni 2009: 107.

Etymology: In reference to the locality, where the material has been found.

Type material: Holotype: AMD: IRSNB P.9266a, b. Paratypes: Prm: IRSNB P.9262; La: IRSNB P.9263a, b; Pp: IRSNB P.9264a, b; AMD: IRSNB P.9265a, b; PMD: IRSNB P.9267a, b; IRSNB P.9268a, b; ADL: IRSNB P.9269a, b; PDL: IRSNB P.9270a, b; IRSNB P.9271a, b; PVL: IRSNB P.9272; PVL and PL: IRSNB P.9273a-d; CV1: IRSNB P.9261a, b; pectoral fin and AVL: IRSNB P.9274a, b.

Type locality: Tienne-des-Marteaux quarry also called Durnal 2, Bocq valley, Spontin, Namur Province, Belgium.

Type horizon: Montfort/Evieux Formation, Famennian, Upper Devonian.

Material.—PMD: IRSNB vert 32049-001a, b; ADL: IRSNB vert 32049-002 from the type locality.

Diagnosis.—Species of moderate size. Anterior edge of the Prm displaying a strong notch. Short postpineal plate. Dorsal wall of trunk-armour quite flat and reaching an estimated length of 15–16 cm. Tergal angle situated in the middle of the anterior median dorsal plate. Anterior margin of the anterior median dorsal plate narrow and representing one quarter of the posterior margin. Internal surface of the AMD displaying a median ventral ridge. Anterior and posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves well defined. Posterior median dorsal plate as long as broad. Anterior median angle of the posterior median dorsal plate prominent. Crista interna transversalis posterior slightly developed. Processus obstans well developed and articular fossa of the anterior dorso-lateral plate extended. Crista transversalis interna anterior oblique and high. Pectoral fin massive, almost three times as long as broad and stretching slightly less far than the posterior margin of the anterior ventro-lateral plate. Vermiculate ornament forming on several specimens a radiating and concentric network. Tuberculate ornament on the largest plates.

Description

Headshield.—Premedian plate, Prm (Fig. 9A): It is almost as long as broad and crossed medially by the principal section of infraorbital canal. The anterior edge is marked in its middle by a not extended but well marked notch.

Lateral plate, La (Fig. 9B): According to its size, the only preserved lateral plate (IRSNB P.9263a, b) is most probably that of a juvenile. This plate is rather narrow with the posterior part broader than the anterior one. The principal and secondary sections of infraorbital sensory line are deeply incised. The orbit seems small.

Postpineal plate, Pp (Fig. 9C): The postpineal plate is wider than long. The anterior margin is slightly convex whereas the posterior margin is strongly convex. The antero-lateral margin forms a 160° angle with the postero-lateral margin. The postpineal plate shows anteriorly the limits of a smaller plate corresponding probably to a younger growth stage.

Trunkshield.—Anterior median dorsal plate, AMD (Fig. 9D–G): This plate is elongate. Externally, it is quite flat, with a slight arch constituted by the dorsal median ridge. The latter forms an obtuse angle and runs from the tergal angle, situated in the middle of the plate, backwards to the posterior margin. The dorsal median ridge is sharper on the smallest AMD (IRSNB P.9266) than on the largest one (IRSNB P.9265) where it is almost absent. The length of the anterior division of the plate is roughly the same as the posterior one. The anterior straight margin is narrow and represents one quarter of the straight posterior margin length. The lateral corners are more or less marked depending on the specimen considered. They are quite rounded on IRSNB P.9266 and more angular on IRSNB P.9265. The anterior part of the lateral margin is about twice longer than the posterior one. There is a dissymmetry of the lateral corners of IRSNB P.9266. The right lateral corner is situated more anteriorly than the left one and is therefore at half the length of the lateral margin. The posterior portion of the lateral margin has the typical sigmoid shape of the genus Remigolepis. It overlaps the posterior dorso-lateral plate anteriorly and is overlapped by the posterior dorso-lateral plate posteriorly. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are well defined. They form an angle of about 45° with the dorsal median ridge. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves run from the tergal angle to the middle of the posterior part of the lateral margin. The anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are less well defined but distinguishable. They form a right angle with the posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves, and run from the tergal angle to the middle of the anterior part of the lateral margin. A small anterior part of the visceral surface is observable. It shows a median ventral ridge, unusual for the genus Remigolepis, and a part of the area overlapping the anterior dorso-lateral plate on all its length. Otherwise, the rest of the visceral surface is quite smooth. On the internal surface of IRSNB P.9265, there are three areas corresponding to the compression of the right and left areas overlapped by the posterior dorso-lateral plates and to the compression of the area overlapped by the posterior median dorsal plate.

Posterior median dorsal plate, PMD (Fig. 10A, B): The plate is as broad as long. It is quite flat, with a smooth dorsal median ridge surmounting the plate and stretching from the posterior to the anterior angles. The anterior margin is strongly convex, with a strong median angle. The lateral corner is well pronounced whereas the antero-lateral corner is slightly marked. The posterior margin is also convex and the posterior angle rounded. The three overlapping areas are well indicated by prominent areas on the external surface, revealed by the fossilization. They are connected and well extended. IRSNB vert 32049-001 is an abnormal plate with the right side narrower than the left one. Ventrally (IRSNB P.9268), the crista transversalis interna posterior and the median ventral ridge are slightly developed but present.

Anterior dorso-lateral plate, ADL (Fig. 10C): The lateral and dorsal laminae are equivalent in width, even if the anterior part of the lateral lamina is much reduced, compared to the anterior part of the dorsal lamina. The processus obstans is well developed and the articular fossa is extended. The anterior part of the lateral lamina is very small, compared to the observable expanded posterior area. The dorso-lateral ridge is sharp, but the angle formed between the lateral and dorsal laminae is difficult to estimate because of the strong compression of the plate during fossilization (about 170° on IRSNB P.9269). The main lateral line groove is not clearly visible. It probably runs from the posterior margin of the lateral lamina to the anterior third of the same lamina, along the dorso-lateral ridge. The area overlapping the posterior dorso-lateral plate is indirectly observable in the form of a prominent area on the external surface due to the compression during fossilization. The area overlapped by the anterior median dorsal plate is clearly visible.

Posterior dorso-lateral plate, PDL (Fig. 10D, E): The dorsal lamina bulges slightly in its middle. The angle formed by the two laminae is approximately 150°, with a quite strong dorsal median ridge. The dorsal lamina is about twice as long as broad. The dorso-medial corner is well pronounced. The anterior margin is straight, contrary to the concave posterior margin. The dorso-medial margin displays a sigmoid anterior part due to an elongated process. The posterior part of the dorso-medial margin is straight and about as long as the anterior part. A little part of the area overlapped by the PMD is observed on IRSNB P.9271. The lateral lamina is four times longer than wide. It is less developed than the dorsal lamina, with a width about four times less than that of the latter. This lamina extends over the anterior two-thirds of the plate. The main lateral line groove is not clearly visible. It may run alongside the convex ventral margin of the lateral lamina. The posterior oblique dorsal sensory line groove runs from the posterior area of the dorsal median ridge to the anterior end of the dorsal process. On IRSNB P.9270, the visceral surface shows several growth lines that have their ossification centre on the posterior part of the dorsal median ridge.

Posterior ventro-lateral plate, PVL (Figs. 10F, 11A): The ventro-lateral ridge is strongly pronounced. The top of the ridge is widened in the middle on IRSNB P.9272. IRSNB P.9273 displays a less marked ventral lateral ridge because of the compression. The anterior margin of the ventral lamina is straight, and the margin, corresponding to the border with the median ventral plate, is straight and quite long. The lateral lamina is elongated and wider through its dorsal corner. The margin running from the dorsal corner to the anterior dorsolateral corner is concave. The margin, joining the dorsal corner to the posterior dorso-lateral corner, is also concave and quite extended. The lateral process itself is well developed. The posterior margin of the lateral lamina is concave. The subanal division is relatively large because it occupies about one fourth of the PVL total length. The area overlapped by the left PVL is elongated and narrow. The area overlapped by the AVL is quite narrow too.

Posterior lateral plate, PL (Fig. 11A): The only preserved posterior lateral plate (IRSNB P.9273) is in connection with a posterior ventro-lateral plate. It is very low relatively to its length and higher anteriorly than posteriorly. The anterior margin forms a rather acute angle with the anterior portion of the dorsal margin. The posterior dorsal angle is rounded and the height at this level reaches one third of the anterior height. The ventral margin displays posteriorly a re-entrant angle, into which the PVL inserts. The area overlapped by the AVL is thin.

Anterior ventro-lateral plate, AVL (Fig. 11C): Only one specimen of AVL is available (IRSNB P.9274). The anterior portion, and thus the anterodorsal process rising to overlap the ADL, is not preserved. The joint with the pectoral fin is masked by the pectoral fin, which is connected to the AVL. The ventro-lateral ridge is strongly compressed, and the lateral lamina rather damaged but extended. The margin shared with the median ventral plate is long and concave. The median ventral plate should occupy a large place in the ventral shield. Internally, the crista transversalis interna anterior is oblique. It seems high but is partly broken.

Pectoral fin (Fig. 11B, C).—The ventral side of the pectoral fin is entirely visible. This fin extends posteriorly slightly less than the posterior margin of the anterior ventro-lateral plate. It is quite broad, giving it a stout shape. It is about three times as long as broad. It is divided into two rows of plates with unique proximal and distal plates. The ventral central plate 1 (CV1) is as long as broad. The ventro-medial marginal plate series (VM1–VM3) displays three polygonal plates with the VM1 badly preserved. The lateral marginal plate series (ML1–ML4) displays four polygonal plates. The ML1 is preserved as an impression, and its shape is not clearly distinguishable. The terminal plate (T) is posteriorly sharp.

The dorsal central plate 1 (CD1) is at least twice longer than broad (IRSNB P.9261), with a well-defined lateral corner.

Ornament.—The ornament of the trunk elements is made of vermiculating, coarse, short pieces of ridges. It can form a radiating network, on the smallest AMD (IRSNB P.9266), and a radiating and concentric network, according to the area of the plate, on the largest AMD (IRSNB P.9265). On the largest plates, it is made of individual or anastomosed tubercles (IRSNB P.9273). On IRSNB P.9267, some tubercles are organized in sensory groove-like structures and form a cross-like structure extending over all the posterior part of the PMD. Except for the lateral plate, which seems unornamented, the other cephalic plates display the same ornament than the trunk plates, i.e., vermiculating, coarse, short pieces of ridges.

Remarks.—Even on the largest AMD (IRSNB P.9265), the anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves are present. This character is typical of juvenile individuals in Bothriolepis (Stensiö 1948) but seems to be retained in adults of R. durnalense.

It seems that R. durnalense, at least its trunk armour, becomes more dorso-ventrally compressed during its growth. In fact, the lateral lamina of the PVL is deeper in smaller individuals (IRSNB P.9272) than in larger ones (IRSNB P.9273). However, this lower plate is perhaps compensated by a higher posterior lateral plate and/or a higher lateral lamina of the posterior dorso-lateral plate. There is currently not enough material to test such a hypothesis.

The antiarch from Spontin belongs to Remigolepis because of the absence of the joint in the pectoral appendages, the short and broad premedian plate notched anteriorly, the AMD overlapping PDLs anteriorly but overlapped by them posteriorly, and the PDLs and PLs not fused.

Stensiö (1931) erected the genus Remigolepis and named several species from the Upper Devonian of East Greenland. The material referable to the type species, R. incisa (Woodward, 1900), consists only, and with certainty, of two AMDs (Stensiö 1931). They resemble the AMD of R. durnalense by the shape and the ornament consisting of coarse, rounded or slightly elongated tubercles arranged in rather distinct rows that radiate from the dorsal angle. However, the anterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves, observable in R. durnalense, are absent in R. incisa, and further comparisons are impossible because of the small amount of material.

R. cristata Stensiö, 1931 differs from R. durnalense by the longer anterior margin of the AMD and by the spine-like process on the dorsal median ridge. R. kochi Stensiö, 1931 differs from R. durnalense by its ornament, which forms low striae radiating from the tergal angle on the AMD. The ornament of R. durnalense is more vermiculating. R. kochi also differs from R. durnalense by a more elongated PMD, by a strong dorsal process on the PVL (Stensiö 1931: pl. 26: 5) and by a smaller overall length of the trunk shield. R. kullingi Stensiö, 1931 differs from R. durnalense notably by a more elongated PMD and by a more delicate ornament (concentric arrangement on the AMD). R. acuta Stensiö, 1931 differs from R. durnalense by its larger size (about twice longer than R. durnalense) and by a narrower PMD.

Of the two Australian species, R. redcliffensis Johanson, 1997b differs from R. durnalense by a stronger dorsal median ridge, by the absence of oblique dorsal sensory line grooves and by a reduced processus obstans. R. walkeri Johanson, 1997a differs from R. durnalense by narrower Prm and Pp plates, by the shape of the Pp plate, by a stronger dorsal median ridge and by a lower crista transversalis interna anterior.

The Kirgizian R. suusamyrensis Panteleyev, 1992 and R. karakoliensis Panteleyev, 1992 are small species, very different from R. durnalense. The total length of their trunk armour equals the length of the sole AMD of R. durnalense. Moreover, the shape of their AMDs does not match with that one of R. durnalense; i.e. more rounded in R. suusamyrensis and more elongated in R. karakoliensis.

Among the Chinese species, R. major Pan, 1987 (in Pan et al. 1987) and R. xixiaensis Pan, 1987 (in Pan et al. 1987) are large species that differ radically from R. durnalense. The first one could reach a head and trunkshield length of 45 cm, and the latter of 30 cm, whereas in R. durnalense it is nearly 20 cm. They also differ from R. durnalense by a smooth ventral surface of the AMD. Moreover, the AMD of R. major is anteriorly pointed, whereas the AMD of R. durnalense presents a short anterior margin. By contrast, R. xiangshanensis Pan, 1987 (in Pan et al. 1987) differs from R. durnalense by its small size. Moreover, the angle between the posterior oblique dorsal sensory line grooves on the AMD is more obtuse in R. xiangshanensis and the ventral surface of the AMD smooth. R. zhongweiensis Pan, 1987 (in Pan et al. 1987) and R. zhongningensis Pan, Wang, Liu, Gu, and Hang, 1980 are in the size range of R. durnalense. However the first one differs from the Belgian species by narrower Pp and PMD and by a more elongated AMD without oblique dorsal sensory line grooves. The latter differs from R. durnalense by the shape of the AMD, which displays almost parallel lateral margins, by a tergal angle located anteriorly, by a slender PMD with well-developed cristae transversalis interna posterior and by a slender pectoral fin. Finally, R. microcephala Pan, 1987 (in Pan et al. 1987) differs from R. durnalense by a Prm anterior notch slightly defined, by a massive Pp and by wider AMD and PMD.

The material defining the Scottish species ?Remigolepis sp. only consists of an isolated AMD (Andrews 1978). It comes from a large species because the AMD alone is 15 cm in length. It differs from R. durnalense by the size and by coarse tubercles arranged in rows parallel to the margins. R. armata Lukševičs, 1991 from Russia differs notably from R. durnalense by the spine on the dorsal surface of the PMD plate and by the AMD, which does not taper anteriorly.

The material of Remigolepis from Belgium is sufficient and diagnostic enough to erect a new species. This discovery enlarges the spatial distribution of the genus to Western Europe and confirms its cosmopolitan distribution during the Late Devonian.

Stratigraphic and geographic range.—Type locality and horizon only.