Pteraspididae
{{Short description|Extinct family of jawless fishes}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| taxon = Pteraspididae
| fossil_range = Early to Middle Devonian
| image = Larnovaspis stensioei.jpg
| image_caption = Artist's restoration of Larnovaspis
| authority = Claypole, 1885
| type_genus = †Pteraspis
| type_genus_authority = Kner & Woodward, 1900
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision = See text
| synonyms = Pteraspidae (paraphyletic)
}}
Pteraspididae is an extinct family of heterostracan vertebrates. It is an Early Devonian-aged family that contains the stereotypical, torpedo-shaped pteraspidids, such as the type genus, Pteraspis, and its close relatives Errivaspis and Rhinopteraspis, that are popularly thought to have actively swam about in the water column. The elongated rostral plate is thought to help with their hydrodynamic ability. Various genera are found in various marine and estuarine strata of Early Devonian Europe and North America.
Genera
References
{{Reflist}}
- On the recent discovery of Pteraspidian fish in the upper Silurian rocks of North America. Edward Waller Claypole, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 1885, volume 41, pages 48–64, {{doi|10.1144/GSL.JGS.1885.041.01-04.10}}
- Revised classification of Pteraspididae with description of new forms from Wyoming. Robert Howland Denison, Fieldiana. Geology; v. 20, no. 1, {{doi|10.5962/bhl.title.3330}}
External links
- {{Wikispecies-inline}}
- [https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=149944 Pteraspididae at fossilworks.org] (retrieved 17 April 2016)
- {{eol|13085348}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q21291030}}
Category:Devonian jawless fish
Category:Prehistoric jawless fish families
Category:Early Devonian first appearances
Category:Early Devonian extinctions
{{Pteraspidomorphi-stub}}