Mcnamaraspis kaprios

Mcnamaraspis kaprios Temporal range: Frasnian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Artist's reconstruction of M. kaprios
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Placodermi
Order:	Arthrodira
Family:
Genus:	Mcnamaraspis
Type species
Mcnamaraspis kaprios

Mcnamaraspis is a monospecific genus of arthrodire 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. It is occasionally referred to as "The Gogo Fish" after the locale the holotype was excavated from.

On 5 December 1995, the type species, M. 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]

Description[]

M. kaprios is an extinct marine fish that grew up to 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length. With its large eyes, articulated jaw and sharp, razorlike dentition plates, it can be inferred that this midsize placoderm was an active predator that specialized in cracking through the shelled defenses of arthropods such as trilobites. It has a distinct cartilaginous snout not recorded in other placoderms.^[1]

References[]

Sources[]

• 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.

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