Mcnamaraspis kaprios
| Mcnamaraspis kaprios Temporal range: Frasnian | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Division: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Placodermi |
| Order: | Arthrodira |
| Family: | Plourdosteidae |
| Genus: | Mcnamaraspis |
| Species: | Mcnamaraspis kaprios |
| Binomial name | |
| Mcnamaraspis kaprios J. Long, (1995) | |
Mcnamaraspis kaprios is an arthrodiran placoderm of the Family Plourdosteidae that inhabited the ancient reef system of north Western Australia during the Frasnian epoch of the Late Devonian period (c. 380-375 million years ago). The type specimen was found and described by John A. Long from the Gogo Formation near Fitzroy Crossing. This fossil fish showed new anatomical features in arthrodires, like the well-preserved annular cartilages of the snout, previously inferred to be present by Erik Stensiö of Sweden.
On 5 December 1995, Mcnamaraspis kaprios was officially proclaimed as the State Fossil emblem of Western Australia by the Governor of Western Australia, thus becoming the first official state fossil emblem for any state of Australia.[1]
References
- ↑ Long, J. 1995
- Long, J. (1995). "A new ploudosteid arthrodire from the Upper Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia". Palaeontology 38: 39–62.
- "The Fossil Emblem of Western Australia". Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Government of Western Australia.