Climatius
Name: Climatius
Phonetic: Cli-mat-e-us.
Named By: Louis Agassiz - 1845.
Synonyms: Ctenacanthus latispinosus,
Euthacanthus gracilis, Euthacanthus grandis, Euthacanthus macnicoli,
Euthacanthus macnicolli.
Classification: Chordata, Acanthodii,
Climatiiformes, Climatiidae.
Species: C. reticulatus
(type), C. gracilis, C. grandis, C. latispinosus, C.
macnicoli, C. scutiger, C. uncinatus.
Diet: Carnivore/Piscivore.
Size: 7.5 centimetres long.
Known locations: Europe. North America.
Time period: Early Devonian.
Fossil representation: Many known specimens.
As
a 'spiny shark' Climatius was not a true shark
but was still
related to them. Climatius was probably an open
water hunter of
smaller fish, and two clues to indicate this are both the strongly
developed caudal fin and the large pectoral fins. As the caudal fin
(loosely dubbed the tail) propelled Climatius
forward it would also
have the effect of putting the fish into a 'nosedive' towards the
bottom. To counter this effect the pectoral fins act like hydrofoils
to keep Climatius in a straight line as it swims
forward. This may
sound like a lot to infer for a fish that is only known from fossils,
but this principal actually applies to all fish.
Climatius
was probably a visually orientated predator as indicated by its large
forward facing eyes. Once these located potential prey, the
powerful tail would be employed to give chase and close the distance.
Climatius would then use its small but sharp teeth
to seize its prey,
although rather surprisingly the teeth were only present in their
lower jaw. This may have been so that it was easier to manipulate
prey in the mouth so that it could be swallowed. Like in sharks,
Climatius replaced its teeth as they became worn.
Not
only did Climatius have the standard complement of
strong
spines present in the major fins (pectoral, pelvic, anal and
both dorsal), it also had an additional four pairs of spines that
ran along the underside. With a combined total of fifteen hard spines
Climatius was significantly more protected than the
related Acanthodes,
and would have been a difficult mouthful for predators.
Further reading
- Distribution of vertebrates in the Silurian of Estonia - E.
Mark-Kurik
- 1969.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random favourites
|
|
|
|