Climatius

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Climatius
Fossil range: Late Silurian to Early Devonian

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Acanthodii
Order: Climatiiformes
Family: Climatiidae
Genus: Climatius
Agassiz, 1845
Species: C. reticulatus

Climatius is an extinct genus of fish.

It was an early member of the Acanthodii, a group of fishes which were the first vertebrates to develop jaws. Climatius was an active swimmer judging from its powerful caudal fin and abundant stabilizing fins, and probably preyed on other fish and crustaceans. Its lower jaw was lined with sharp teeth which were replaced when worn; the upper jaw lacked teeth. To discourage hungry predators, Climatius sported a total of fifteen spikes on the underside of its body and on its back (attached to the dorsal fins).

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