Eubrachythoraci Temporal range: Devonian
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Dunkleosteus terrelli skull, Queensland Museum | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | †Placodermi |
Order: | †Arthrodira |
Suborder: | †Brachythoraci |
Clade: | †Eubrachythoraci Miles, 1971 |
Sub-Clades | |
Eubrachythoraci is an extinct clade of arthrodire placoderms within the suborder Brachythoraci, armored fish most diverse during the Devonian. Most are considered to be pelagic (open ocean) long-distance swimmers, leading to their widespread distribution beginning from at least the Middle Devonian period.[1]
Brachythoraci is divided into the large derived clade Eubrachythoraci and several basal groups: Buchanosteoidea, Homosteidae, and Holonematidae.[1] (Although Holonematidae's membership in Brachythoraci is disputed.)[2]
Eubrachythoraci is then further divided into the sub-clades Coccosteomorphi and Pachyosteomorphi, the latter of which can be further sub-divided into Aspinothoracidi and Dunkleosteoidea,[3] as shown in the cladogram below:[2]