The total number of branchiostegals
remains unknown. Each branchiostegal is
plate-like and ornamented with a central shallow
dome and concentric ridges. Anterior to the series
of branchiostegals there is a single gular plate,
which is very small, shorter than broad, with an
almost straight posterior border (Figure 9). It is also
ornamented with concentric ridges and it is transversally
traversed by the mandibular sensory
canals. The mandibular sensory canal from one
side enters the gular plate from the dentary, runs
into a gular commissure, and exits to the dentary
on the other side (MPEF-PV 3598).
Among the elements of the hyoid arch, only
the hyomandibula is visible. Like in †Birgeria, thehyomandibula consists of laterally compressed
dorsal, almost horizontal shank, and a ventral, posteroventrally
inclined shank (Figure 7, Figure 9).
The dorsal shank is c. 1.3 times longer than the
ventral shank. The generally rod-like hyomandibula
is narrower in the middle, expanding both proximally
and distally, and the transition between the
dorsal and ventral shanks is very gradual. There is
no opercular process or foramen for the truncus
hyoideomandibularis.
Vertebral column and caudal fin. Only dorsal and
ventral arcual elements are ossified in the vertebral
column of †Condorlepis, and the notochord is persistent