Early Fish

From the time of the beginnings of fish 

Myllokunmingia is the earliest known vertebrate known. Living about 500 million years ago (mya), Myllokunmingia was the first ancestor of humans, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and theropods. This creature was very small, only 1 1/2 inches. Haikouichthys, another kind of fish-like creature, developed a more recognizable vertebra, or backbone, than the one possessed by Myllokunmingia.

Plated grazers

Cephalaspis was one strange fish. For one, its eyes were very small, but small pores could sense vibrations. Second, it and its relatives were covered in armor head to tail. Third, its head looked like a crescent. Cephalaspis fed on algae and small creatures called plankton. It fed by slowly moving across the seabed and sniffing out some tasty treats.

Shark! Or not…

Acanthodes was an early species of spiny shark. It was one of the first vertebrate nektonic predators. (for people who don’t know, nektonic describes something that can swim with control over speed and direction.) Acanthodes was a group hunter that also scavenged on carcasses.

That was fun! I might add more later, but this is done. For now…