Amazichthys

Amazichthys is an extinct genus of selenosteid arthrodire from the Middle Famennian of the Late Devonian of the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco. It contains a single species, Amazichthys trinajsticae. It is one of a few example of placoderm known from whole body shape, including cartilaginous axial and fin elements.

Description

Amazichthys had a profile similar to that of fast-moving pelagic fishes, with lateral keels for stability, and a lunate caudal fin, suggesting it could reach and maintain high speed. The holotype, AA.MEM.DS.8, is long.

Etymology

Amazichthys trinajsticae was named after the North African ethnic group Amazigh, and Australian palaeontologist Kate Trinajstic.

Taxonomy

Amazichthys is part of Selenosteidae, a family inside the clade Aspinothoracidi, inside of Pachyosteomorphi, along with Dunkleosteoidea.
The cladogram shown here is based on Jobbins et al, 2022.