Species
Eusthenopteron foordi
Eusthenopteron foordiEusthenopteron foordi is an iconic lobe-finned fish from the Late Devonian epoch that played a central role in understanding the evolutionary transition from water to land. Its robust paired fins contained the distinct humerus, ulna, and radius arrangement that directly foreshadowed tetrapod limbs. An ambush predator of warm, shallow coastal estuaries, it propelled itself through brackish waters using a strong, three-lobed tail.
FossilAquaticPredatory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAcanthodians, Small placoderms, Early ray-finned fishes
Predators
- Large predatory placoderms
- Larger sarcopterygian fishes
ThreatsExtinction events and ecosystem shifts during the Late Devonian
HabitatsPrehistoric shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and river channels
Life spanEstimated 10–20 years
Classification
- FamilyTristichopteridae
- SpeciesEusthenopteron foordi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species known entirely from fossils.
Responsible observation
- Museum Viewing: Examine specimens at the Miguasha National Park interpretive center in Quebec.
- Fossil Etiquette: Never excavate or collect fossil specimens from protected UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Identification Detail: Look for the internal fin bones matching modern humerus, radius, and ulna.
Image unavailableStem Tetrapod 
Prey Hectonichus / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Eduard Solà / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Distant Relative (c) BrokenSphere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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