Antiarch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Antiarchi |
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| Bothriolepis canadensis | |
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Antiarchi
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The Antiarchi were an ancient group of fish that lived a very long time ago. They belong to an order of fish called placoderms. Placoderms were a type of prehistoric fish known for having heavy armor plates covering their bodies.
Antiarchs were very successful. They were the second most common group of placoderms. Many different species of antiarchs lived in various environments, from fresh water to the ocean.
What Did Antiarchs Look Like?
Antiarchs had a unique appearance. The front part of their bodies was covered in thick, bony armor. This armor acted like a shield, protecting them from predators.
The back part of their bodies was different. Sometimes it had scales, like modern fish. Other times, it was smooth and had no scales at all.
Special Fins
One of the most interesting features of antiarchs was their pectoral fins. These are the fins located on the sides of a fish, near its head. Antiarchs had very special pectoral fins that looked a bit like arms.
In some early antiarchs, like Yunnanolepis, these fins were short and thick. But in more advanced types, such as Bothriolepis, the fins were long. They even had joints, almost like an elbow!
Scientists believe these special fins helped the antiarchs move along the bottom of the water. They might have used them to pull themselves across the substrate (the ground or bottom surface). They might also have used them to bury themselves in the mud or sand, perhaps to hide from danger or ambush prey.
When Did Antiarchs Live?
Antiarchs lived during the Silurian and Devonian periods. The Silurian period started about 443 million years ago. The Devonian period ended around 359 million years ago. This means antiarchs swam in ancient waters for millions of years before dinosaurs even existed!
See also
In Spanish: Antiarcos para niños
