Strunius
| Strunius Temporal range: Late Devonian
| |
|---|---|
| |
| Restoration of S. rolandi | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Strunius
|
Strunius is an extinct genus of lobe-finned fish from the Late Devonian period of Germany.
Although it was a lobe-finned fish Strunius' fins were supported by fin rays, which are more associated with ray-finned fish. However, its skull was composed of two articulating halves, a feature characteristic of the lobe-finned rhipidistians. The skull was also divided by a deep articulation, with both halves probably connected by a large muscle, increasing the power of the bite.[1] The same system is seen in coelacanths and the better-known Eusthenopteron.
Compared to other lobe-finned fishes, Strunius had a rather short, stubby body, and was just 10 centimetres (4 in) long. It was covered in large, round, bony scales, and probably fed on other fishes.[1]
References
- ^ a b Palmer, D., ed. (1999). The Marshall Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals. London: Marshall Editions. p. 42. ISBN 1-84028-152-9.
 | This article about a prehistoric lobe-finned fish is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |