Lechriaspis is an extinct genus of poraspid heterostracan agnathan known from the Early Devonian of northern Utah, western United States.[1]

Lechriaspis
Temporal range: Early Devonian, Emsian
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Infraphylum: Agnatha
Class: Pteraspidomorphi
Subclass: Heterostraci
Order: Cyathaspidiformes
Family: Poraspidae
Genus: Lechriaspis
Elliott & Petriello, 2011
Type species
Lechriaspis patula
Elliott & Petriello, 2011

Discovery edit

Lechriaspis is known only from the holotype specimen. It was collected from the Grassy Flat Member of the Water Canyon Formation of northern Utah, which dates to the Emsian stage of the late Early Devonian. The specimen shows evidence of puncture wounds indicating predation by a eurypterid. Lechriaspis and Poraspis thomasi represent the first true members of the Cyathaspidida to be described from the Devonian of the western United States.[1]

Etymology edit

Lechriaspis was first named by David K. Elliott and Michael A. Petriello in 2011 and the type species is Lechriaspis patula.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c David K. Elliott and Michael A. Petriello (2011). "New poraspids (Agnatha, Heterostraci) from the Early Devonian of the western United States". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 31 (3): 518–530. doi:10.1080/02724634.2011.557113. S2CID 130564395.