Immense Thelodont Fossil Fish from Silurian Scotland


Name: Loganellia sp.

Phylum Chordata; Subphylum Vertebrata; Superclass Agnatha; Group Thelodonti (Thelodontiformes); Loganiidae

Geological Time: Middle Silurian (Wenlockian Stage)

Size: 117 mm in length on a 135 mm by 85 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Leshmagow, Scotland


Thelodont Fossil  FishFishDescription: The Thelodontia are a group of fishes most commonly known from their distinctive tooth-like scales. Indeed the term Thelodont , derived from Greek, means nipple tooth. The teeth have a characteristic crown made of dentine. The scales even on a single specimen Thelodontare quite variable, as can be seen here. Thelodonts are rarely found as complete specimens; those that are show them to be flattened fish, many of which were bottom dwellers. Recent finds of intact specimens from Canada show that they radiated into some deep-bodied forms that swam freely in the water column. These deep-bodied forms may have been more closely allied with jawed fishes than their other relatives. All Thelodonts were extinct by the Upper Devonian.

This is a huge example of the taxon; a more “normal” size example is shown alongside. The sketch shown what Longanellia looked like in life.

Thelodont References

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