Eusthenodon

Eusthenodon
Temporal range: Frasnian–Famennian
Late Devonian
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Sarcopterygii
Subclass: Tetrapodomorpha
Order: Osteolepiformes
Family: Tristichopteridae
Genus: Eusthenodon
Jarvik, 1952
Species
  • E. wängsjöi Jarvik, 1952 (type)

Eusthenodon is a genus of prehistoric lobe-finned fish. Eusthenodon lived during the Late Devonian period (Frasnian to Famennian faunal stages), around 385 to 359 million years ago. Remains of Eusthenodon have been found in Greenland, Russia, South Africa and more recently in Belgium for the first time. This genus belonged to the family Tristichopteridae, a clade which became extinct at the end of the Devonian. This family is known for some large genera, such as Hyneria. Eusthenodon was about 2.5 meters in length and among palaeontologists it is regarded as one of the most derived form of this group.

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