Cheiracanthus murchisonil fish

Ancient Shark Fossil Cheiracanthus

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Description

Cheiracanthus murchisoni

Cheiracanthus murchisoni, a member of the Cheiracanthidae subclass of Acanthodii, is the largest acanthodian fish found in the Orcandian basin. It ranges in size from 60 mm to approximately 250 mm. At first glance, C. murchisoni resembles a larger version of the Mesacanthus, another acanthodian fish. However, it differs in the placement of its dorsal fin spine, which is situated more towards the middle of its body compared to the rear placement of the Mesacanthus. The name Cheiracanthus originates from the Greek words “cheira” meaning hand, and “acanthus” meaning spine, referring to the hand-like structure of its spine.

This fish lived during the Middle Devonian period, approximately 385 million years ago, in what is now Scotland. During this time, the Orcadian Basin was a vast system of lakes that extended for hundreds of miles. The Middle Devonian period is often referred to as the “Age of Fishes,” as fishes dominated both the seas and lakes, while plants rapidly colonized the land. Alongside Cheiracanthus murchisoni, other fishes such as Mesacanthus and Diplacanthus crassismus, as well as osteolepids Gyroptychius, Osteolepis, and Thursius, the porolepid Glyptolepis, the lungfish Dipterus, the enigmatic Palaeospondylus gunni and the placoderms Dickosteus, Coccosteus, Pterichtyodes, Rhamphodopsis, and Homostius co-inhabited the lakes of the Orcadian Basin.

The Acanthodii; Cheiracanthus murchisoni

To which Cheiracanthidae belongs, are among the earliest jawed vertebrates known in the fossil record. They first appear in the Lower-Silurian and disappeared long after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, although their diversity had already significantly declined by then.

In terms of taxonomy, the Cheiracanthidae subclass is part of the Acanthodii group, often called “spiny sharks” due to their skin cover of denticles. However, their relation to true sharks remains uncertain. Other members of the Cheiracanthidae subclass found in the Middle Devonian of Scotland include Cheiracanthus latus

Additional information

Weight 0,5 kg
Dimensions 16 × 12 × 1,5 cm

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