Philopteridiformes

Philopteridiformes is an extinct order of ray-finned fish that lived during the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous periods, approximately 383 to 315 million years ago. They are known from fossils found in Europe, North America, and Australia. Philopteridiformes are characterized by their elongated, serpentine bodies, which were likely used for burrowing or swimming in shallow waters. Their scales were thin and overlapping, similar to those of modern ray-finned fish. The order includes several genera, such as Philopterus, which is one of the most well-known members, and Panderichthys, known for its distinctive, paddle-like fins. Philopteridiformes are believed to have been bottom-dwelling or benthic predators, feeding on small invertebrates and other fish. Their extinction is thought to be related to the mass extinction event at the end of the Devonian period, which wiped out many marine species. Despite their relatively short evolutionary history, Philopteridiformes played an important role in the early evolution of ray-finned fish, paving the way for the diverse array of modern fish species that followed.