This article relies largely or entirely on a
single source. (April 2023) |
Foxaspis | |
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Photographs of the holotype and paratype | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Infraphylum: | Agnatha |
Class: | Cephalaspidomorphi |
Order: | † Polybranchiaspidiformes |
Family: | † Duyunolepididae |
Genus: | †
Foxaspis Gai et al., 2023 |
Type species | |
†Foxaspis novemura Gai et al., 2023
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Foxaspis (IPA: [fɒksæspɪs]) (meaning "fox shield") is a genus of duyunolepidid galeaspid from the early Devonian ( Pragian stage) Xiaoshan Formation in Guangxi, Southern China. The type and only species is F. novemura, known from two well-preserved specimens. [1]
Foxaspis is known from two specimens that were described in 2023 by Gai et al. The holotype, IVPP V30958.1a-b consists of a complete headshield articulated with a body and tail. The paratype, IVPP V30958.2-3, consists of an incomplete headshield and exceptionally preserved tail. [1]
The generic name, "Foxaspis" (IPA: [fɒksæspɪs]), is derived from the English word " fox" and the Greek word "aspis", which roughly translates to "shield", meaning the generic name translates to "fox shield". The specific name, "novemura" (IPA: [no.vemˈuːrä]), derives from the Latin words "novem", which translates to "nine," and the suffix "-ura" which refers to the tail, meaning the specific name translates to "nine tails". It was named as such after the nine-tailed fox, a mythical beast mentioned in the Shanhai jing. [1]
The tail of Foxaspis is notable, being asymmetrical with nine thin projections covered in scales. These spines may have been covered in a fin web. The tail of Tujiaaspis, a closely related galeaspid, lacked these structures and was generally symmetrical. Galeaspids like Foxaspis and Tujiaaspis were likely relatively fast swimmers compared to other contemporary jawless and jawed fish. [1]