Pachyosteomorphi


Pachyosteomorphi is an extinct clade of arthrodire placoderms within the Eubrachythoraci, armored fish most diverse during the Devonian. Most are considered to be pelagic long-distance swimmers, leading to their widespread distribution beginning from at least the Middle Devonian period.

Phylogeny

Pachyosteomorphi is the sister taxon to Coccosteomorphi, which together are the two main sub-clades of Eubrachythoraci. Pachyosteomorphi can be further sub-divided into Aspinothoracidi and Dunkleosteoidea, as shown in the cladogram below: