| Eubrachythoraci Temporal range: Devonian | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Dunkleosteus terrelli skull, Queensland Museum | |
| | |
| Coccosteus cuspidatus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | † Placodermi |
| Order: | † Arthrodira |
| Suborder: | † Brachythoraci |
| Clade: | † Eubrachythoraci Miles, 1971 |
| Sub-Clades | |
Eubrachythoraci is an extinct clade of arthrodire placoderms within the suborder Brachythoraci, armored fish most diverse during the Devonian. Most are considered to be pelagic (open ocean) long-distance swimmers, leading to their widespread distribution beginning from at least the Middle Devonian period. [1]
Brachythoraci is divided into the large derived clade Eubrachythoraci and several basal groups: Buchanosteoidea, Homosteidae, and Holonematidae. [1] (Although Holonematidae's membership in Brachythoraci is disputed.) [2]
Eubrachythoraci is then further divided into the sub-clades Coccosteomorphi and Pachyosteomorphi, the latter of which can be further sub-divided into Aspinothoracidi and Dunkleosteoidea, [3] as shown in the cladogram below: [2]