Scientists Identify 419-Million-Year-Old Bataspis crux, a Jawless Fish Whose Batwing Head Boosted Lift
Updated
Updated · Sci.News · Aug 18
Scientists Identify 419-Million-Year-Old Bataspis crux, a Jawless Fish Whose Batwing Head Boosted Lift
2 articles · Updated · Sci.News · Aug 18
Summary
Bataspis crux, a newly identified armored jawless fish from 419-million-year-old rocks in Yunnan, had a batwing-shaped skull unlike the spikes, crests or domes seen in other galeaspids.
3D water-flow simulations showed the headshield produced the highest lift-to-drag ratio yet measured in a galeaspid, suggesting the fish could glide efficiently at low angles of attack.
Phylogenetic analysis placed the species in Tridensaspidae, close to Pterogonaspis and Tridensaspis, extending the known range of galeaspid body forms.
Galeaspids lived only in what is now China and northern Vietnam and sit near the base of the vertebrate family tree, making the find relevant to how early relatives of jawed animals moved and diversified.