Asteracanthus Temporal range:
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Complete skeleton and restoration of Asteracanthus ornatissimus from the Solnhofen Limestone | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Order: | † Hybodontiformes |
Family: | † Hybodontidae |
Genus: | †
Asteracanthus Agassiz, 1837 |
Type species | |
Asteracanthus ornatissimus Agassiz, 1837
|
Asteracanthus (from Greek: ἀστήρ aster, 'star' and Greek: ἄκανθα akantha, 'spine') [1] is an extinct genus of hybodont, known from the Middle Jurassic ( Bathonian) to the Early Cretaceous ( Valanginian). [2]
Asteracanthus was among the largest known hybodontiforms, reaching a length of 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft). The dentition of Astercanthus is high crowned and multicusped. The low-rounded teeth previously attributed to the genus actually belong to Strophodus. Like Strophodus, the fin spines are covered in tubercles, rather than the ribbing typical of other hybodont fin spines. [2]
The genus as currently circumscribed dates from the Middle Jurassic ( Bathonian) to Early Cretaceous ( Valanginian) of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, England and France. A complete skeleton was described in 2021 from the Late Jurassic ( Tithonian) aged Solnhofen Limestone. Previously considered synonymous, the genus Strophodus (Middle Triassic-Late Cretaceous) is now considered distinct, with the teeth of Asteracanthus having more in common with Hybodus and Egertonodus. [2]
The genus seems to have been adapted for open marine conditions and likely had an epibenthic habit. It was likely a slow swimmer. The teeth are suggested to have been adapted for grasping, with the teeth at the sides of the mouth serving a crushing function. Asteracanthus was probably adapted for feeding on a wide range of prey, ranging from moderately hard shelled to soft-bodied. Teeth of Asteracanthus found with the remains of marine reptiles suggest that it may have also engaged in scavenging. [2]
Many of the species previously assigned to this genus are now placed in Strophodus, with a 2021 study considering Asteracanthus ornatissimus the only certain species in the genus. The study considered the genus incertae sedis within Hybodontiformes. [2]
Asteracanthus Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
![]() | |
Complete skeleton and restoration of Asteracanthus ornatissimus from the Solnhofen Limestone | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Order: | † Hybodontiformes |
Family: | † Hybodontidae |
Genus: | †
Asteracanthus Agassiz, 1837 |
Type species | |
Asteracanthus ornatissimus Agassiz, 1837
|
Asteracanthus (from Greek: ἀστήρ aster, 'star' and Greek: ἄκανθα akantha, 'spine') [1] is an extinct genus of hybodont, known from the Middle Jurassic ( Bathonian) to the Early Cretaceous ( Valanginian). [2]
Asteracanthus was among the largest known hybodontiforms, reaching a length of 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft). The dentition of Astercanthus is high crowned and multicusped. The low-rounded teeth previously attributed to the genus actually belong to Strophodus. Like Strophodus, the fin spines are covered in tubercles, rather than the ribbing typical of other hybodont fin spines. [2]
The genus as currently circumscribed dates from the Middle Jurassic ( Bathonian) to Early Cretaceous ( Valanginian) of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, England and France. A complete skeleton was described in 2021 from the Late Jurassic ( Tithonian) aged Solnhofen Limestone. Previously considered synonymous, the genus Strophodus (Middle Triassic-Late Cretaceous) is now considered distinct, with the teeth of Asteracanthus having more in common with Hybodus and Egertonodus. [2]
The genus seems to have been adapted for open marine conditions and likely had an epibenthic habit. It was likely a slow swimmer. The teeth are suggested to have been adapted for grasping, with the teeth at the sides of the mouth serving a crushing function. Asteracanthus was probably adapted for feeding on a wide range of prey, ranging from moderately hard shelled to soft-bodied. Teeth of Asteracanthus found with the remains of marine reptiles suggest that it may have also engaged in scavenging. [2]
Many of the species previously assigned to this genus are now placed in Strophodus, with a 2021 study considering Asteracanthus ornatissimus the only certain species in the genus. The study considered the genus incertae sedis within Hybodontiformes. [2]