Mesacanthus mitchelli Egerton.
A small complete Acanthodian on grey shale. Acanthodians were small predatory fish. They are characterised by a 'shagreen' of tiny scales. In addition, the fins are supported by a body spine. Under magnification the scales are beautifully detailed on this specimen. The fin spines are also very obvious. The front half of the fish has ruptured and begun to disintegrate This may just be post mortem, or it might be as the result of an attack by the much larger predator, Parexus sp. Intriguing specimen.
Devonian, Lockovian Arbuthnott Group.
Turin Hill, Tillywanland, near Forfar, Strathmore, Angus, Scotland.
Fish : 3.4 cm. long.
