Miaojiaaspis, a new galeaspid from the Silurian of China

[Halichoeres]

The galeaspids are one of my favorite groups of fishes because their fossils look permanently surprised or dismayed. Elsewhere on the forum there's a drawing I did of Dongfangaspis. Here's a new relative, Miajoiaaspis, named for the Miao people of southern China.

The head shield is incomplete, but there's enough to get a good idea of its appearance. The structure marked "md.o" is "median dorsal opening," not a mouth, but probably something like a spiracle. The mouth was underneath. The preservation of the trunk scales is also really great.


Open access in Vertebrata PalAsiatica: https://www.vertpala.ac.cn/EN/10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240820 and also available on ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385010845_A_new_genus_of_galeaspids_jawless_stem-Gnathostomata_from_the_early_Silurian_Chongqing_Lagerstatte_China

[Faelrin]

Glad to see a new jawless fish friend described before the year is over. And with a great section of skin preserved with it.