Climatius

Extinct genus of cartilaginous fishes

Climatius
Temporal range: Lochkovian
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Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Acanthodii
Order: Climatiiformes
Family: Climatiidae
Genus: Climatius
Agassiz, 1845
Species:
C. reticulatus
Binomial name
Climatius reticulatus
Agassiz, 1845

Climatius (from Greek: κλίμα klíma, 'gradation')[1] is an extinct genus of spiny shark. This genus is known from the Early Devonian (Lochkovian) of Europe, previously considered Silurian remains actually belong to Nostolepis instead.[2]

Climatius was an active swimmer, judging from its powerful caudal fin and abundant stabilizing fins, and probably preyed on other fish and crustaceans. Its lower jaw was lined with sharp teeth which were replaced when worn, but the upper jaw had no teeth. It had large eyes, suggesting that it hunted by sight.[3]

Climatius represents an important evolutionary link in understanding early jawed vertebrates. Its distinct features, such as double-layered globular calcified cartilage and specialized dental structures, offer crucial insights into the morphological diversification and adaptive strategies of Devonian fish.

It was a small fish, at 7.5 centimetres (3 in), and to discourage predators, Climatius sported fifteen sharp spines. There was one spine each on the paired pelvic and pectoral fins, and on the aingle anal and two dorsal fins, and a four pairs without fins on the fish's underside.[3]

See also

  • iconPaleontology portal

References

  • Parker, Steve. Dinosaurus: the complete guide to dinosaurs. Firefly Books Inc, 2003. Pg. 60
  1. ^ Dean, Bashford (1895). Fishes, living and fossil. An outline of their forms and probable relationships. New York, London, Macmillan and Co. p. 227.
  2. ^ Schnetz, Lisa; Butler, Richard J.; Coates, Michael I.; Sansom, Ivan J. (2022). Sansom, Robert (ed.). "Skeletal and soft tissue completeness of the acanthodian fossil record". Palaeontology. 65 (4). doi:10.1111/pala.12616. ISSN 0031-0239.
  3. ^ a b Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 30. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
  • Carole J. Burrow, Robert G. Davidson, Jan L. Den Blaauwen & Michael J. Newman (2015) Revision of Climatius reticulatus Agassiz, 1844 (Acanthodii, Climatiidae), from the Lower Devonian of Scotland, based on new histological and morphological data, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 35:3, doi: 10.1080/02724634.2014.913421
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Diplacanthus sp. Acanthodes lopatini

Brochoadmones milesi
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Taxon identifiers
Climatius


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