Bothriolepis
Bothriolepis is a genus of antiarch placoderms. It was widespread and diverse in the middle to late Devonian.
Bothriolepis Temporal range: Late Devonian
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Model of B. canadensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Unrecognized taxon (fix): | Bothriolepis |
Species | |
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Bothriolepis lived in environments across every continent including near-shore marine and freshwater settings. Most species of Bothriolepis were small, benthic, freshwater detritivores. They got nutrients by eating decomposing plant/animal material. They were about 30 centimetres (12 in) in length. However, the largest species, B. maxima, had a carapace about 100 centimetres (39 in) in length.
Over 70 species are found across the world, but this is also typical of modern bottom dwelling species around today.[1]
Bothriolepis Media
Bothriolepis canadensis fossil at Musée des Confluences.
B. canadensis fossil in the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
B. canadensis preserved with Scaumenacia cyrta, a prehistoric sarcopterygian
References
- ↑ Thomson, KS; Thomas, B (2001). "On the status of species Bothriolepis (Placodermi, Antiarchi) in North America". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 21 (4): 679–686. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2001)021[0679:otsoso]2.0.co;2. S2CID 86104844.