In Depth
Gooloogongia was a member of the Rhizodontida lone-finned fishes, and is noted as being one of the most primitive members of the group. Some rhizodontid fish are known to have grown up to and beyond lengths of six meters, though at just under one meter, Gooloogongia was quite a bit smaller than these. Gooloogongia is also noted for having two rows of teeth, larger fangs in the inner row, and smaller versions of these in the outer row. These teeth would have been best used to trap softer bodied fish or the softer parts of placoderm fish, though they would have been of little use against the thick plates of the more heavily armoured placoderms.
Gooloogongia was named after the town of Gooloogong which is near to the site of the first discovery. The type species is named in honour of Bruce Loomes. Gooloogongia has been considered to have been similar to the modern day genus Scleropages leichardti, better known as the saratoga, in terms of ecological niche.
Further Reading
- A complete primitive rhizodont from Australia - Zerina Johanson & Per E. Ahlberg. 1998.
