Bothriolepis Canadensis Pair Replica
$76.00
Bothriolepis was a widespread, abundant and diverse genus of antiarch placoderms that lived during the Middle to Late Devonian period of the Paleozoic Era.
- Description
- Additional information
Description
Bothriolepis Canadensis Pair Replica measures 10.3 in. Bothriolepis Canadensis Pair Replica is museum quality fossil polyurethane cast. Made in USA.
Most species of Bothriolepis were relatively small, benthic, freshwater detritivores, averaging around 12 inches in length. However, the largest species, B. maxima, had a carapace about 39 in. in length. Bothriolepis fossils are found in Middle and Late Devonian strata (387–360 million years ago).
Because the fossils are found in freshwater sediments, Bothriolepis is presumed to have spent most of its life in freshwater rivers and lakes, but was probably able to enter salt water as well because its range appeared to have corresponded with the Devonian continental coastlines.
Many paleontologists hypothesize that they were anadromous, that is, they lived most of their lives in saltwater, and returned to freshwater only to breed, similar to salmon.
Its box-like body was enclosed in armor plates, providing protection from predators. Early primitive fish. Upper Devonian Gaspe Peninsula, Eastern Canada.
There are two openings through the head of Bothriolepis: a keyhole opening along the mid-line on the upper side for the eyes and nostrils and an opening for the mouth on the lower side near the anterior end of the head. A discovery regarding preserved structures that appear to be nasal capsules confirms the belief that the external nasal openings lay on the dorsal side of the head near the eyes.
The position of the mouth on the ventral side of the skull is consistent with the typical horizontal resting orientation of Bothriolepis. It had a special feature on its skull, a separate partition of bone below the opening for the eyes and nostrils enclosing the nasal capsules called a preorbital recess.
The dermal skeleton is organized in three layers: a superficial lamellar layer, a cancellous spongiosa, and a compact basal lamellar layer. Even in early ontogeny, these layers are apparent in specimen of Bothriolepis canadensis. The compact layers develop first.
Bothriolepis Canadensis Facts:
Conservation status: Extinct
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Placodermi
Order: Antiarchi
Family: Bothriolepididae
Genus: Bothriolepis
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Additional information
Weight | 8 lbs |
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Dimensions | 10.3 in |