Pharyngolepis

Wednesday, October 13, 2010



Pharyngolepis is an extinct genus of primitive jawless fish that lived in the Silurian period. This is an anaspid, means an extinct small freshwater jawless fish usually having a heterocercal tail and an armored head; of the Silurian and Devonian

Pharyngolepis had well-developed anal and caudal fins, but no paired or dorsal fins to stabilise the body. Because of this lacking fins Pharyngolepis was a very poor, awkward and an inefficient swimmer.

Around its chest region it had some spikes, possibly for protection against predators. A row of crested scales ran along its back and a pair of bony spines projected from the pectoral area.

The pectoral fins were instead replaced by bony spines and there was a row of spines along the back. Pharyngolepis feeding method was probably to plow through the bottom sediment, scooping up tiny food particles in its rounded mouth.

Pharyngolepis facts:

Name Pharyngolepis
Time Late Silurian
Locality Europe
Size 4in/10cm long .

Source from great site: http://www.rareresource.com

Read more interesting topic about dinosaur fossils.

0 comments:

Post a Comment