The Problematic Genus Liodesmus Wagner and a New Genus of Caturoidea (Halecomorphi, Neopterygii) from the Upper Jurassic Solnhofen-Archipelago

Abstract

Our revision of the type material of Liodesmus led to significant adjustments in our understanding of the taxon when the original type specimen of Pholidophorus gracilis, which was later determined as the type species of the genus Liodesmus, was recently found in the collection in Berlin. It had been confused with a specimen that was described as the type specimen of the species Liodesmus gracilis in the collection in Munich. Moreover, the Munich specimen was mistakenly considered by all authors who have studied Liodesmus as a type specimen for the genus Liodesmus. However, the original holotype of Pholidophorus gracilis and this Munich specimen of Liodesmus gracilis belong to two different families. Caturus brevicostatus, whose holotype was recently found in Berlin as well, is described in detail here for the first time. Liodesmus sprattiformis is now described under the new genus Nasrinsotoudehichthys outside Caturidae but within the Caturoidea. Since all specimens that have been described so far under Liodesmus either belong to other, previously described genera, belong to new genera clearly outside the description of the genus Liodesmus, or are nomina dubia (including the type species Pholidophorus gracilis), the genus Liodesmus and the Liodesmidae are nomina dubia as well.