ACTINOPTERYGIAN AND ACANTHODIAN FISHES FROM THE VISEAN OF EAST KIRKTON, WEST-LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND

Forty-one specimens of acanthodians and actinopterygians were examined from Units 26 to 38 of the Geikie Tuff, Little Cliff Shale and East K irkton Limestone of the Visean East Kirkton Limestone sequence. The re sults yielded six actinopterygian species including a platysomid and t wo probable juveniles of uncertain affinities, and three acanthodians including two acanthodidids and a climatiid-like denticle. Most specim ens consist of isolated bones and scales, but articulated remains of a n acanthodian and actinopterygians were found in Units 37 and 38 of th e East Kirkton Limestone. The faunal composition is characteristically Oil-Shale in aspect and resembles that of Broxburn (Pumpherston). The presence of deep-bodied and juvenile fishes in the same strata combin ed with the mode of preservation indicate a palaeohabitat with limited current action and a soft substrate.