 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source .(October 2021) |
| Ramsaasalepis Temporal range: [1] | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Infraphylum: | Agnatha |
| Superclass: | † Anaspidomorphi |
| Class: | † Anaspida |
| Order: | † Birkeniiformes |
| Family: | † Ramsaasalepididae Blom, Märss & Miller, 2002 |
| Genus: | † Ramsaasalepis Blom, Märss & Miller, 2002 |
| Species | |
†Ramsaasalepis porosaBlom et al., 2002 (type) | |
Ramsaasalepis is an extinct genus of jawless fish that lived during the Silurian period, approximately 427-419 million years ago. [2] It is the type and the only known genus of the family Ramsaasalepididae, one of many families of prehistoric jawless fish, and contains the single species Ramsaasalepis porosa. [2] [1]
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It was described based on a number of fossilized, disarticulated thelodont scales that may have had a ridged texture. The species had a well-developed vascular canal system. [1] However, unlike most other Agnathans, Ramsaasalepis porosa possessed neither bony armor nor dermal development typical of the Infraphylum. [2] Based on these characteristics and its stratigraphical range, it is speculated to be most closely related to the genera Septentrionia and Tahulalepis . [1]
Ramsaasalepis would likely have been found in nutrient-rich, shallow oceanic waters. It has been speculated to have ranged around 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in length. [2] Competition with recently evolved jawed fish, and changing sea levels have been suggested as reasons for the extinction of this and many other jawless fish species. It was probably a filter feeder or a scavenger. [2] [1]
