Grossaspis
Extinct genus of fishes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grossaspis is a monotypic genus of antiarch placoderms known from the Givetian age of Eifel, Germany.[1] It is represented by the single species, Grossaspis carinata. They were likely marine bottom feeders, characterized by a steep dorsal crest and a greatly inclined head.[1]
| Grossaspis | |
|---|---|
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| Reconstruction of Grossaspis carinata | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | †Placodermi |
| Order: | †Antiarchi |
| Genus: | †Grossaspis White & Moy-Thomas, 1940[3] |
| Species: | †G. carinata |
| Binomial name | |
| †Grossaspis carinata Schlüter, 1887[4] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Genus synonymy
Species synonymy
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Description
The genus has attributed to it a few trunk shield plates, including material from the anterior median dorsal plate, posterior median dorsal plate, and anterior ventro-lateral plate. The length of the trunk shield was, dorsally, of c. 9 cm. The anterior median dorsal plate was characterized by a protruding, tall, laterally compressed crest that tapers posteriously and continuously onto the posterior median dorsal plate. Dorsal lateral line grooves were not found present. The anterior ventro-lateral plate presented a rather short subcephalic component, resulting in a steep inclination of the head forward. The bone’s spongiosa (the internal spongy, meshlike component of the bone) was thick, regular and prismatic.[1]
Paleobiology
Like many antiarchs, Grossaspis were likely bottom feeders. However, while most antiarchs predominantly inhabited freshwater lakes and streams, Grossaspis were adapted to marine environments. Other known marine antiarchs include Gerdalepis and Lepadolepis.[1]