PONE-D-22-29333A high latitude Gondwanan species of the Late Devonian tristichopterid Hyneria (Osteichthyes: Sarcopterygii)PLOS ONE

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Dear Dr. Ahlberg,

your manuscript has been evaluated by two referees. While one suggested acceptance as the manuscript is, the other had two minor comments. I would like to ask you to integrate these comments.

Besides, I would like you to consider the Recommendation 11A of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature which states that "An unmodified vernacular word should not be used as a scientific name. Appropriate latinization is the preferred means of formation of names from vernacular words." therefore the specific part of the new name should be latinized. Otherwise, in the explanation ot the name etymology please state that this is an apposition.

Yours sincerely,

Mikołaj Zapalski

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Academic Editor

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Additional Editor Comments:

Dear Dr. Ahlberg,

your manuscript has been evaluated by two referees. While one suggested acceptance as the manuscript is, the other had two minor comments. I would like to ask you to integrate these comments.

Besides, I would like you to consider the Recommendation 11A of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature which states that "An unmodified vernacular word should not be used as a scientific name. Appropriate latinization is the preferred means of formation of names from vernacular words." therefore the specific part of the new name should be latinized. Otherwise, in the explanation ot the name etymology please state that this is an apposition.

Yours sincerely,

Mikołaj Zapalski

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: N/A

Reviewer #2: N/A

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: I have no major issues with this manuscript, just two clarification questions about the criteria used to establish the fossil examined as a new species.

1. On lines 167-168, the authors state that the specimen looks very similar to an existing type species, with only "proportional differences in some bones" differentiating them. Would it be possible to illustrate that these proportional differences are NOT simply a difference in size? In other words, show that the proportional differences are not always in the same direction between the species.

2. The authors also note that the teeth in this new fossil are "much less well preserved than the bone" and that even the largest "do not show complete natural outlines". Given this, I question using the size of the dentary fangs as a diagnostic character for the species. Could the authors provide more support for this particular diagnostic character?

Reviewer #2: This is a well written paper based on a reasonably good material of a giant tristichopterid Hyneria (Sarcopterygii) from the late Famennian of Waterloo Farm in South Africa. The major strength of this work is the detailed description of a new specimen which is similar to the type species, H. lindae, but with more completely preserved anterior part. Particularly, the presence of skull bones adds much new information to our previous knowledge on this genus. The material, isolated bones, are well illustrated and interpreted. As I am not an expert on sarcopterygians I cannot judge if the proposition of giving a new species name (H. udlezinye) to the specimen under description, despite its general similarity to H. lindae, is justified. However, as the new specimen comes from Gondwana, and the older material from Laurussia (Pennsylvania), such a solution seems acceptable. H. udlezinye is not the first giant tristichopterid found from Gondwana, but the first one which comes from high palaeolatitudes.

Generally, although I do not think this paper brings ground-breaking new information, I consider it useful and important, and I am sure it deserves publication.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Michał Ginter

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A high latitude Gondwanan species of the Late Devonian tristichopterid Hyneria (Osteichthyes: Sarcopterygii)

PONE-D-22-29333R1

Dear Dr. Ahlberg,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Mikołaj K. Zapalski, Ph. D., D. Sc.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Dear Prof. Ahlberg,

Thank you for introducing changes in the text, and, where relevant, explaining convincingly why the changes are not desired. The manuscript can be accepted in its present form.

My best wishes in 2023!

Mikołaj Zapalski

Reviewers' comments: