Astraspis

As-tra-as-piss.
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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Astraspis ‭(‬Star shield‭)‬.

Phonetic

As-tra-as-piss.

Named By

Walcott‭ ‬-‭ ‬1892.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Pteraspida,‭ ‬Astraspida.

Diet

Filter feeder‭?

Species

A.‭ ‬desiderata‭

Size

Estimated to about‭ ‬20‭ ‬centimetres long.

Known locations

North America,‭ ‬possibly Bolivia as well.

Time Period

Darriwilian to Katian of the Ordovician.

Fossil representation

Several individuals.

In Depth

       Named for the star shaped denticles that covered the body,‭ ‬Astraspis was an Ordovician era jawless fish similar to Arandaspis and Sacabambaspis.‭ ‬Astraspis also seems to have had a lateral line,‭ ‬a series of sensory organs that run down length of the sides of the body,‭ ‬as in modern fish.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬Astraspis:‭ ‬The anatomy and histology of an Ordovician fish,‭ ‬I.‭ ‬J.‭ ‬Sansom,‭ ‬M.‭ ‬P.‭ ‬Smith‭ & ‬P.‭ ‬Turner‭ ‬-‭ ‬1997.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT