Lunaspis

Lunaspis
Temporal range: Emsian
Fossil of L. broili
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Class: Placodermi
Order: Petalichthyida
Family: Macropetalichthyidae
Genus: Lunaspis
Species: L. heroldi
Type species
Lunaspis heroldi
Broili 1929
species
  • L. heroldi Broili 1929
  • L. broili Gross 1937
  • L. pruemiensis (Kayser) 1880
Synonyms
  • Acanthaspis prümiensisTraquair 1894
Artist's reconstruction of L. broili (larger) and L. heroldi (smaller)

Lunaspis ("Moon Shield") is an extinct genus of petalichthyid fish that lived in shallow marine environments of the Early Devonian period. Fossils have been found in Germany, China and Australia.

Description

Lunaspis is flattened fish with short trunk and long, curved cornual plates. These long, spine-like plates give the suggestion of a crescent moon, hence the generic name. The nostrils and the anterior part of the head shield around the orbits, is covered by a number of tiny scales, as is the long trunk.

References

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