images

Pteraspis

by

Walter B. Myers/Novapix

Reference

t-din00-10401

Date

2012-07-19

Two jawless fish of the genus Pteraspis feed near the ocean's surface 410 million years ago during the Early Devonian. Pteraspis grew to a length of about 8 inches and is believed to have dined on shoals of plankton. A hard shell and spikes may have helped to protect Pteraspis from larger predators.