Groenlandaspis

Taxobox
name = "Groenlandaspis"
fossil_range = Late Devonian


image_caption = "Groenlandaspis pennsylvanica" & "Turrisaspis elektor"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Placodermi
ordo = Arthrodira
familia = Groenlandaspidae
genus = "Groenlandaspis"

"Groenlandaspis" ("Greenland Shield") is an extinct genus of armored placoderm.

"Groenlandaspis" was a member of the Order Arthrodira, the most successful group of placoderms which also included the 10 m (33 ft) superpredator "Dunkleosteus". As with all other arthrodires, "Groenlandaspis" had a joint in the back of its head with its thoracic armor, allowing for its head to be thrown back, increasing its gape. However, as its head is somewhat compressed in comparison with many other arthrodires, and as the dorsal side came to a low, pyramid-like peak, it is believed that "Groenlandaspis" could not throw its head back very far. It lived on the ocean floor, where it is thought to have fed on either very small prey, or detritus, as the small dental plates of its mouth strongly suggest it was incapable of tackling large prey.

This highly successful placoderm genus was found throughout the world, though the first fossils were found in Greenland.