Coccosteus

paleontology

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June 24, 2026

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Coccosteus is a genus of Devonian fishes characterized by broad, armored plates covering their heads. These armored fish belong to the subclass Arthrodira and are the type genus for the family Coccosteidae. The name Coccosteus is derived from New Latin, combining "cocc-" with "-osteus". The family Coccosteidae includes other armored, extinct fish related to Coccosteus.12

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arthrodire
…as the Middle Devonian genus Coccosteus, tended toward marine habitats. Coccosteans were less heavily armoured than Arctolepis, and the bony head and body shields were connected by a joint on each side allowing free head movement. They were predators and had bony jaws. Two toothplates were present on each side…
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…as the Middle Devonian genus Coccosteus, tended toward marine habitats. Coccosteans were less heavily armoured than Arctolepis, and the bony head and body shields were connected by a joint on each side allowing free head movement. They were predators and had bony jaws. Two toothplates were present on each side…
Read More