古脊椎动物学报（中英文）2026，Vol.64Issue(2)：167-182,16.DOI:10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260408
腭方骨比较解剖学分析揭示肺鱼自接型头骨的递进式起源
Stepwise formation of autostyly in lungfishes revealed by comparative analysis of palatoquadrate
摘要
Abstract
Autostyly,defined by fusion of the palatoquadrate to the neurocranium and loss of the hyomandibula as a suspensory element,is a hallmark of lungfish cranial organization among sarcopterygians,yet its evolutionary origin remains incompletely understood.This study elucidates this transition through a detailed comparative analysis of the palatoquadrate and its articulations in three sequentially diverging stem dipnoans:Youngolepis,Diabolepis,and the earliest eudipnoan Paleolophus.Youngolepis exhibits a reoriented palatoquadrate,indicating functional reorganization of jaw mechanics prior to autostyly.In Diabolepis,reduction of the pars autopalatina and retention of a primitive suborbital articulation suggest further modification of jaw suspension.Paleolophus documents the earliest unambiguous autostyly,with direct palatoquadrate-neurocranial integration preceding complete fusion with the lateral commissure,along with an enlarged adductor fossa.Comparison with Middle and Late Devonian lungfishes indicates that full autostyly was achieved only after the development of a robust,integrated otic process.These results demonstrate that lungfish autostyly evolved stepwise,driven by increasing biomechanical demands associated with durophagous feeding.关键词
泥盆纪/肺鱼/自接型/腭方骨/演化Key words
Devonian/lungfish/autostyly/palatoquadrate/evolution分类
生物科学引用本文复制引用
乔妥,刘城希,崔心东,朱敏..腭方骨比较解剖学分析揭示肺鱼自接型头骨的递进式起源[J].古脊椎动物学报（中英文）,2026,64(2):167-182,16.基金项目
国家自然科学基金(批准号:42302005,92255301)和国家重点研发计划(编号:2025YFF0811700)资助. （批准号:42302005,92255301）
