Drepanaspis
Drepanaspis (from Greek: δρεπάνη drepánē 'sickle' and Greek: ἀσπίς aspís 'shield') is an extinct genus of primitive jawless fish from Early Devonian marine strata of Europe. D. gemuendenensis, of the Hunsrück lagerstätte is the best known, and most thoroughly studied species, as it is known from several articulated specimens.
| Drepanaspis Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Drepanaspis gemuendenensis reconstruction | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Infraphylum: | Agnatha |
| Class: | †Pteraspidomorphi |
| Subclass: | †Heterostraci |
| Order: | †Pteraspidiformes |
| Family: | †Psammosteidae |
| Genus: | †Drepanaspis |
| Type species | |
| Drepanaspis gemuendenensis Schluter, 1887 | |
| Species | |
| |
Description
Drepanaspis was a flattened creature with a heavily armored body, superficially ray-like in appearance. Its mouth faced upwards, unlike most other Heterostracans, which had downward-facing mouths. It also had small, widely spaced eyes. It is presumed to have foraged the ocean floor for food.[1]
This frying-pan-shaped fish may have been the ancestor of the giant, meter-long, meter-wide Psammosteid heterostracans of the Late Devonian.
See also
- Arandaspis – Extinct genus of jawless fishes
- Hemicyclaspis – Extinct genus of jawless fishes
- Sacabambaspis – Extinct genus of jawless fishes
References
- Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 24. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.