Phylogenetic relationship tree generated by a Maximum Likelihood Analysis of molecular data (5,083 bp, comprising segments of the nuclear genes ENC1, GLYT, MYH6, SH3PX3 and RAG1 and the mitochondrial gene COI). Clade names follows the classification herein proposed. Numbers on each node are bootstrap percentages of the Maximum Likelihood analysis and posterior probabilities of the Bayesian Inference analysis; asterisks indicate maximum values (100 or 1.00 respectively) and a dash refers to values under 50 or 0.50 respectively.

Jaws, jaw suspensorium, opercular apparatus, superficial dermal bones and caudal fin skeleton of Pantanodon stuhlmanni and pelvic fin of P. madagascariensis: A: left jaws, jaw suspensorium and opercular apparatus, lateral view; B, left nasal, dorsal view; C, left lachrymal, lateral view; D, caudal fin skeleton, left lateral view; E: pelvic fin bone and rays. Abbreviations: de, dentary; ep, epural; hp, hypural plate; hy, hyomandibula; io, interopercle; ms, mesopterygoid; pb, pelvic bone; ph, parahypural; pl, palatine; pm, premaxila; po, preopercle; qu, quadrate; r, rays; ra, retroarticular; so, subopercle; sy, sympletic; u2–u4, preural centra 2–4. Scale bar = 1mm. Figure 2E was based on illustration present in Rosen (1965), that originally do not have scale bar.

Branchial arches of Pantanodon stuhlmanni: A, left branchial arches, ventral view of dorsal portion; B, third pharyngobranchial tooth, frontal view; C, left hyoid bar, lateral view; D, fifth ceratobranchial tooth, frontal view; E, left and middle branchial arches, dorsal view of ventral portion. Abbreviations: ach, anterior ceratohyal; b1–2, basibranchials 1–2; bh, basihyal; br, branchiostegal rays; c, ceratobranchials; e4,fourth epibranchial; ih, interhyal; p2-3, pharyngobranchials 2 and 3, pch, posterior ceratohyal; vhh, ventral hypohyal. Scale bar = 1mm. Figure 3B and 3D are schematic illustrations of the teeth, thus no scale bar is presented. The cartilaginous hypobranchials are not illustrated in Figure 3E.