| Dartmuthia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Head shield ofDartmuthia gemmifera (USNM 21347) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Infraphylum: | Agnatha |
| Superclass: | †Cephalaspidomorphi |
| Class: | †Osteostraci |
| Order: | †Thyestiida |
| Family: | †Tremataspidae |
| Genus: | †Dartmuthia Patten, 1931[1] |
| Type species | |
| †Dartmuthia gemmifera Patten, 1931 | |
| Species | |
Dartmuthia is an extinct genus of primitive jawlessfish that lived in theSilurian period. Fossils ofDartmuthia have been found in Himmiste Quarry, on the island ofSaaremaa inEstonia. It was first described byWilliam Patten.[2]
Dartmuthia is one of the onlyosteostracans in which material of the trunk and tail behind the armored head shield have been found. Since the mouth is positioned on the underside of the headDartmuthia is presumed to have dwelled on the ocean floor, sucking its food into its mouth.[3]
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