Furcacauda

Period of life:

419 – 393 million years ago

Period:

Devonian period

Habitat:

Marine environment

Taxonomy:

Fish

Height:

0.06 m

Countries:

Devonian period Furcacauda | 3D Dinopedia

Materpiscis

Climatius

Furcacauda (419 – 393 million years ago)

Furcacauda was a mysterious denizen of ancient seas, ranging from the Early Silurian to the Late Devonian. Although primitive jawless fishes, they displayed remarkable adaptations to deep-water life. Their bodies were tall and narrow, clad in minute, tooth-like scales that hint at sophisticated evolutionary responses to the pressures of the deep ocean.

Prominent, forward-set eyes suggest that vision was crucial in the dimly lit depths, helping these fishes navigate and locate food—or avoid predators—at a distance. Just behind the eyes lay their gill openings, a common trait among early agnathans.

The tail was especially distinctive: two large lobes—one dorsal, one ventral—were subdivided into 8–14 smaller intermediate lobes. This crescent-shaped structure boosted buoyancy and granted exceptional manoeuvrability, vital for survival in deep water as they foraged or evaded threats.

Perhaps most intriguing is a large, square chamber within the intestine that connected the small intestine to the anus. This may represent one of the earliest true stomachs among vertebrates, providing more efficient digestion.

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