Osteostraci

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Osteostraci Fossil range: Middle Silurian to Late Devonian
Cephalaspis species
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata (unranked) Cephalaspidomorphi Class: Osteostraci
Orders
Cephalaspida Zenaspida Kiaeraspidida Benneviaspida Thyestiida

The Class Osteostraci ("Bony Shields") was a group of bony-armored jawless fish, termed "ostracoderms", that lived in what is now North America, Europe and Russia from the Middle Silurian to Late Devonian.

Anatomically speaking, the osteostracans, especially the Devonian species, were among the most advanced of all known agnathans. This is due to the development of paired fins, and their complicated cranial anatomy. However, the osteostracans were more related to other agnathans than to jawed vertebrates as their inner ears are formed by two pairs of semicircular canals, similar to those of living lampreys, as opposed to the three pairs found in the inner ears of jawed vertebrates.

[edit] External links

http://academic.emporia.edu/mooredwi/nathist/chap3.htm

[edit] References

Janvier, Philippe. Early Vertebrates Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN 0-19-854047-7

Long, John A. The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996. ISBN 0-8018-5438-5