Pharyngolepis

Pharyngolepis is an extinct genus of primitive jawless fish that lived in the Silurian period of what is now Norway.

reconstruction

Pharyngolepis Temporal range: Late Silurian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Anaspida
Order:	†Birkeniiformes
Family:	†Pharyngolepididae Kiær 1924 corrig.
Genus:	Pharyngolepis Kiaer 1911
Type species
Pharyngolepis oblonga Kiær 1911
Species
P. heintzi Ritchie 1964 P. kiaeri Smith 1957 P. oblonga Kiar 1911

Pharyngolepis had well-developed anal and caudal fins, but no paired or dorsal fins that would have helped stabilise it in the water, and so was probably a poor swimmer, remaining close to the sea bottom. The pectoral fins were instead replaced by bony spines, possibly for protection against predators, and there was a row of spines along the back. It probably scooped up food from the ocean floor.[1]

References

1. Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 25. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.