User:Eddiecrane/sandbox

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Eddiecrane/sandbox
Temporal range: Middle Devonian
Fossil of Cheiracanthus latus at the London Natural History Museum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Acanthodii
Order: Acanthodiformes
Family: Cheiracanthidae
Genus: Cheiracanthus
Type species
Cheiracanthus murchisoni

Cheiracanthus ("hand spine") is an extinct genus of a group of fish called Acanthodii (or "spiny sharks"). It was a deep-bodied acanthodian about 12 in. (30 cm) in length. It had a blunt head, upturned tail, and fins protected by spines. Unlike many other acanthodians, it had one, solitary dorsal fin. Cheiracanthus swam at mid-depth in lakes and rivers, seizing small prey in its gaping jaws. Whole fossils of this fish occur only in Mid-Devonian rocks in Scotland, but its distinctive small, ornamented scales crop up around the world, as far south as Antarctica. [1]

Life restoration of Cheiracanthus murchisoni

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ [1],

Category:Acanthodii genera Category:Prehistoric fish of Antarctica Category:Devonian fish of Europe