Rare Cheiracanthus Acanthodian Fossil Fish

Description: The Acanthodians are jaw-bearing fish who still are the subject of dispute over their systematic position. Most possessed highly-advanced, spindle-shaped bodies thought to have made them swift swimmers. The body was covered in small mosaic-like scales. They possessed small teeth which were typically confined to the lower jaw; some were toothless. The feature they all share in common is the fact that all fins other than the caudal are supported by massive spines formed of dentine. Indeed, the name Acanthodii is derived from the Greek word for spine. The oldest acanthodian lived during the late Ordovician. They reached their peak during the Devonian, and became extinct during the Great Dying of the end-Permian extinction. This well-preserved example is known as Cheiracanthus, a name that means “hand spine”. Unlike many acanthodians this one had a single dorsal fin and was more stocky of build, hence the specific name latus, meaning wide. While the head is indistinct, the fine scales and spines are very much on display. Full specimens such as this one are only found in Scotland , but distinctive scales have been found worldwide.

Also see: Paleozoic Fish Fossils