Pteraspis

Taxobox
name = "Pteraspis"
fossil_range = Early Devonian

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regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Heterostraci
familia = Pteraspidae
genus = "Pteraspis"
species = "P. stensioei"
binomial = "Pteraspis stensioei"
binomial_authority =

"Pteraspis" is an extinct genus of primitive jawless fish that lived in the Devonian period.

Description

Like other heterostracan fishes, "Pteraspis" had a protective armored plating covering the front of its body. Though lacking fins beyond its lobed tail, it is thought to have been a good swimmer thanks to stiff, wing-like protrusions derived from its branchial plates (the parts of their armor that covered their gills). This, along with the horn-like "rostrum" (nose-like projection), made "Pteraspis" very streamlined in shape- a perfect quality for a good swimmer. "Pteraspis" also had some stiff spikes on its back, possibly an additional form of protection against predators. It is thought to have fed from shoals of plankton just under the ocean surface.