Youngolepis

Youngolepis
Temporal range: Early Devonian
Photograph (a) & virtual rendering (b) of specimen IVPP V28375 in dorsal view
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Sarcopterygii
Class: Dipnoi
Genus: Youngolepis
Type species
Youngolepis praecursor
Chang & Yu, 1981

Youngolepis is a genus of prehistoric lungfish which lived during the Early Devonian period (Lochkovian to Pragian stages, about 407-416 million years ago). Fossils of Y. praecursor have been found in the Xitun Formation of China & the Bac Bun Formation of Trang Xa, Vietnam. Some additional fossil specimens from the Xishancun Formation of China have been referred to Youngolepis sp. & represent the oldest known occurrence of the genus. In addition, Y. praecursor is also found in the Xujiachong formation