Species
Elpistostege watsoni
Elpistostege watsoniElpistostege watsoni prowled shallow coastal estuaries and muddy lagoons during the Late Devonian, ambushing prey from the murky shallows. Its flattened head, upward-pointing eyes, and robust pectoral fins containing rudimentary digits represent one of the most critical evolutionary transitions from finned fish to four-limbed land vertebrates. Complete fossil specimens from Quebec reveal an elongated, muscular predator capable of propping itself up in shallow water to lunge at passing fish.
CarnivorousAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAcanthodians, Bothriolepis canadensis, Small osteolepiform fish
Predators
- Large placoderms
- Apex sarcopterygians
ThreatsLate Devonian environmental fluctuations and mass extinction
HabitatsEstuarine bays, brackish lagoons, and shallow coastal waters
Life span10–20 years (estimated)
Classification
- FamilyElpistostegidae
- SpeciesElpistostege watsoni
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species known only from Late Devonian fossil remains.
Responsible observation
- Museum Exhibits: View the remarkably complete holotype fossil at Parc national de Miguasha in Quebec.
- Fossil Identification: Look for a flattened skull roof with dorsal orbits and pectoral fin digit bones.
Contemporary Neighbor Nobu Tamura (http://spinops.blogspot.com) / CC BY 2.5 · cc-by
Prey Hectonichus / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Eduard Solà / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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