Exceptional Lasanius Anaspid Fossil Fish

from the Silurian of Scotland

Lasanius problematicus

Class Agnatha, Order Anaspidiformes

Geological Time: Upper Silurian

Size: Fish fossil is 32 mm in length (if straight) on a 35 mm by 65 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Leshmagow, Scotland

Fossil Code: UKF224

Price: $395.00


Lasanius problematicus Silurian Jawless Fish FossilDescription: The Anaspids were simple dorso-laterally compressed fish that probably led a bottom-dwelling existence. Their main common feature was a jawless mouth. Indeed the name means without jaws. They wereLasanius Jawless Fish Illustration mostly quite small fishes that flourished during the Silurian and Devonian that then became extinct except for their modern-day relatives the Lampreys and Hagfishes. The gills opened as a row of holes along the side of the animal, typically numbering from 6-15. One unusual example from Canada holds the record for gills at 30 pairs! They probably behaved much like the lampreys, and most lived in freshwater environments. This fine example is known as Lasanius. It had an elaborate array of dorsal scales which are seen here quite clearly. Examples of the Anaspida are quite rare, with few ever available to the general public. The gill arches are disarticulated and can be seen as well.

Also see: Paleozoic Fish Fossils

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