<i>Axelrodichthys araripensis</i> Maisey, 1986 revisited

<i>Axelrodichtys</i> is a genus of fossil coelacanth of the family Mawsoniidae with a wide spatial and temporal range, spanning from the Aptian/Albian of Brazil to the Campanian of France. In light of new discoveries in recent years a renewed interest in <i>Axelrodichthys</i> has emerged. Here we offer new insights on the type species – <i>A. araripensis</i> – based on a complete new description of all its morphological characters and a comparative study of several other Mawsoniidae. A relatively large sample composed of 113 specimens of <i>A. araripensis</i> and associated Mawsoniidae species was observed. Among the newly observed features are the broad aspect of premaxillae supporting the anterior opening of the rostral organ; a unique pattern of skull roof ornamentation; the basioccipital; a passage of nerves in the prootic; the passage for the superior ophthalmic nerve; the anocleithrum; and ossified zygal plates. Observation of two juvenile specimens in different growth stages allowed for the inference of negative allometric growth in the epicaudal lobe. Morphological comparisons pointed out that <i>M. lavocati</i> is more closely associated with the <i>Axelrodichthys</i> than with <i>Mawsonia</i>, therefore we included it in the <i>Axelrodichthys</i> genus as <i>A. lavocati.</i>