Heterostracan (Noun)
Meaning
Extinct jawless fish with the anterior part of the body covered with bony plates; of the Silurian and Devonian.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Heterostracans were among the most common vertebrates in the early Paleozoic era.
- Fossils of heterostracans have been found in Europe and North America.
- Some heterostracans developed large head shields to protect themselves from predators.
- Heterostracans likely used their mouths to filter food particles from the water.
- Despite their unique armor plating, heterostracans eventually went extinct at the end of the Devonian period.