Pteraspididae is an extinct family of heterostracan vertebrates. It is an Early Devonian-aged family that contains the stereotypical, torpedo-shaped pteraspidids, such as the type genus, Pteraspis, and its close relatives Errivaspis and Rhinopteraspis, that are popularly thought to have actively swam about in the water column. The elongated rostral plate is thought to help with their hydrodynamic ability. Various genera are found in various marine and estuarine strata of Early Devonian Europe and North America.

Pteraspididae
Temporal range: Early to Middle Devonian
Artist's restoration of Larnovaspis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Agnatha
Class: Pteraspidomorphi
Subclass: Heterostraci
Order: Pteraspidiformes
Suborder: Pteraspidoidei
Family: Pteraspididae
Claypole, 1885
Type genus
Pteraspis
Kner & Woodward, 1900
Genera

See text

Synonyms

Pteraspidae (paraphyletic)

Genera

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References

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  • On the recent discovery of Pteraspidian fish in the upper Silurian rocks of North America. Edward Waller Claypole, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. 1885, volume 41, pages 48–64, doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1885.041.01-04.10
  • Revised classification of Pteraspididae with description of new forms from Wyoming. Robert Howland Denison, Fieldiana. Geology; v. 20, no. 1, doi:10.5962/bhl.title.3330
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