Antiarchi
| Antiarchi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bothriolepis canadensis | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | †Placodermi |
| Order: | †Antiarchi Cope, 1885 |
The Antiarchi [3] is an order of heavily armored placoderms. The antiarchs were the second-most successful group of placoderms (after the arthrodires) in terms of numbers of species and range of environments.
The front part of their bodies were heavily armoured. The rear parts were sometimes scaled, sometimes naked. The pectoral fins were modified. In primitive forms, such as Yunnanolepis, the limbs were thick and short, while in advanced forms, such as Bothriolepis, the limbs were long and had elbow-like joints. Probably they helped the fish pull themselves across the substrate, or allow their owners to bury themselves into the substrate.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Burrow, Carol & Turner, Susan 1998 (1999). "A review of placoderm scales, and their significance in placoderm phylogeny". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 19 (2): 204–219. doi:10.1080/02724634.1999.10011135.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Wang Junqing 1991. "The Antiarchi from early Silurian Hunan" (PDF). Vertebrata PalAsiatica. 21 (3): 240–244. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-12. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Opposite anus"