Mcnamaraspis

Mcnamaraspis
Temporal range: Late Devonian: Frasnian, 382.7–372.2 Ma
Artist's reconstruction of M. kaprios
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Placodermi
Order: Arthrodira
Suborder: Brachythoraci
Clade: Eubrachythoraci
Clade: Coccosteomorphi
Superfamily: Incisoscutoidea
Genus: Mcnamaraspis
Long, 1995
Species
  • Mcnamaraspis kaprios Long, 1995 (type)

Mcnamaraspis is an extinct monospecific genus of arthrodire placoderm that inhabited the ancient reef system of north Western Australia during the Frasnian epoch of the Late Devonian period (c. 380-375 million years ago). The type specimen was found and described by John A. Long from the Gogo Formation near Fitzroy Crossing. This fossil fish showed new anatomical features in arthrodires, like the well-preserved annular (ring-shaped) cartilages of the snout, previously inferred to be present by Erik Stensiö of Sweden. It is occasionally referred to as "The Gogo Fish" after the locale the holotype was excavated from.

On 5 December 1995, the type species, M. kaprios, was officially proclaimed as the State Fossil emblem of Western Australia by the Governor of Western Australia, thus becoming the first official state fossil emblem for any state of Australia.[1][2]

  1. ^ Long, J. (1995). "A new ploudosteid arthrodire from the Upper Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia". Palaeontology. 38: 39–62.
  2. ^ "The Fossil Emblem of Western Australia". Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Government of Western Australia.