Maurylepis is an extinct genus of Anaspid, a jawless fish (agnathan) on the Cyclostome lineage of vertebrates that lived during the Homerian Stage of the Silurian Period, approximately 430.5 to 427.4 million years ago.
Though known only from fragmentary fossils, Maurylepis is unique for its scale pattern, with surface tubercles resembling teardrops, adding to our understanding of the Birkeniiformes order of anaspids.
We explore where exactly Maurylepis fits on the Tree of Life (taxonomy), when and where it lived, how it went extinct, what its fossils look like, its physical characteristics (synapomorphies), discovery information, scientific mysteries, where you can go to see its fossils, documentaries featuring Maurylepis and it’s kin, and more…
Maurylepis Taxonomy and Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Animalia (Metazoa)
- Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
- Infrakingdom: Bilateria
- Phylum: Chordata
- Subphylum: Vertebrata
- Evolutionary Lineage: Stem-cyclostome (Cyclostomiformes)
- Class: Anaspida
- Order: Birkeniiformes
- Family: Rhyncholepididae
- Genus: Maurylepis
- Species: Maurylepis lacrimans
Geological Time and Habitat
- Period: Silurian
- Stratigraphic Range: Homerian Stage of the Silurian Period (approximately 430.5–427.4 million years ago)
- Habitat: Maurylepis inhabited shallow, nutrient-rich marine waters in the region that is now Estonia. These waters supported diverse marine life, allowing species like Maurylepis to thrive and adapt to their ecological niche.
Evolutionary Significance
Maurylepis belongs to Anaspida, a class of jawless fishes that diverged early in vertebrate evolution along the Cyclostome lineage.
This makes Maurylepis and other anaspids more closely related to modern hagfish and lampreys than other jawless fishes on the gnathostome lineage, which is fascinating because anaspids are remarkably fish-like. Yet, their modern relatives have lost that convergent trait almost entirely.
Importantly, anaspids like Maurylepis helped us better understand that the early members of the true jawed fishes that would give rise to all land vertebrates were also jawless but by the Silurian far-diverged from cyclostomes, even though they lived side by side.
Physical Characteristics
Although the known specimens are only fragmentary, Maurylepis is estimated to have been about 10–15 cm in length. Known for its distinct scale pattern, the scales of Maurylepis feature tubercles resembling teardrops, giving it a unique appearance among anaspids.
Though fragmentary, these fossils provide valuable insight into its morphology and evolutionary adaptations.
Maurylepis Synapomorphies
As a vertebrate, Maurylepis shared several key features with other early vertebrates:
- Vertebral Column: Bony or cartilaginous vertebrae surrounding the ancestral notochord and nerve cord, forming the backbone or spine.
- Neurocranium: A cartilaginous or bony brain casing protected its brain.
- Tri-partite Brain: Like other vertebrates, Maurylepis had a brain divided into three distinct lobes: olfactory (smell), optic (sight), and otic (hearing).
Specific to Anaspida, Maurylepis also exhibited:
- Hypocercal Tail: The vertebrae extend into the lower lobe of the tail, with the upper lobe being formed by fin structures.
- Body Fins: Although no details of Maurylepis fins are preserved, other anaspids display unbroken, elongated fins along the body that are not homologous to the fins of fish today at all – they are their own evolutionary development that went extinct with the last anaspid.
Intriguing Mysteries Around Maurylepis
Maurylepis, like many other anaspids, presents intriguing questions about early vertebrate evolution. It was jawless, but not in the same way as the ancestors of jawed fishes. And the genus’s unique tear-like tubercles on its scales set it apart, suggesting specialised adaptations in its external morphology.
Additionally, anaspids like Maurylepis are a big 100-million-year headache for science. See, molecular clock data (DNA work) suggests anaspids are basal of stem-cyclostomes, which means they diverged from the vertebrate line even before conodonts did – i.e. as early as the Cambrian.
Problem is, anaspid fossils only show up in the Silurian, 100 million years too late. So, either our understanding of early vertebrate evolution needs some more work, or there’s a scintillating basal anaspid fossil out there somewhere, just waiting for a future rockstar scientist to discover.
Discovery & Classification
- Discovery Date: 2002
- Discovery Location: Saaremaa, Estonia
- Discovering Paleontologist(s): Henning Blom, Tiiu Märss, and Carl Miller
- Naming: Maurylepis does not have a specific meaning, but the species name lacrimans originates from the Latin “lacrimo,” meaning “tear,” likely in reference to the tear-shaped tubercles on its scales.
Known Species of Maurylepis
The only known species within this genus is Maurylepis lacrimans, with the species name highlighting its distinctive scale structure that resembles tear-shaped tubercles.
Behaviour and Ecology
While Maurylepis is known only from fragmentary remains, it likely occupied a niche as a filter feeder or scavenger, similar to other anaspids.
The unique scale structure may have provided protection or aided in hydrodynamics, allowing Maurylepis to navigate efficiently through Silurian marine environments.
Fossil Discoveries
The fossils of Maurylepis were discovered in Saaremaa, Estonia, within deposits dating to the Homerian Stage of the Silurian Period. These fossils are fragmentary, but the unique scale pattern offers significant information about the genus’s morphology and evolutionary development.
Scientific Research and Theories
The study of Maurylepis is supported by research from Blom et al. (2002), which examined the diversity of birkeniid anaspids in the Northern Hemisphere. This research adds to the understanding of Maurylepis and related genera, contributing to theories on early vertebrate development and diversity.
Current Specimen Locations
There is limited information on the physical specimens of Maurylepis, but research records indicate possible holdings in institutional fossil collections referenced in publications, like those cited in the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera.
Extinction Theories
As with other anaspids, Maurylepis likely faced extinction due to environmental changes and competition from more advanced vertebrates in the Silurian. The fluctuations in Silurian sea levels and ecosystems may have contributed to the decline of Maurylepis and similar species.
Interesting Facts & Trivia
- Maurylepis lacrimans gets its name from the tear-shaped tubercles on its scales, adding a poetic element to its fossil record.
- Despite fragmentary fossils, Maurylepis adds to the diversity of early vertebrates discovered in Estonia’s Silurian deposits.
- The discovery of Maurylepis highlights the morphological variety present within anaspids during the Silurian.
Additional Resources & References of Maurylepis
- Blom, H., Märss, T., Miller, C. G. (2002). Silurian and earliest Devonian birkeniid anaspids from the Northern Hemisphere. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Earth Sciences, 92(3), 263-323. DOI: 10.1017/S0263593300000250
Discover More Cool Anaspids
Maurylepis is part of the Birkeniiformes order of anaspids alongside the likes of Rhyncholepis, Birkenia, Pharyngolepis, Pterygolepis and Lasanius, etc.
Specifically, it’s part of the Rhyncholepididae family, along with more fragmentary genera like Rytidolepis, Schidiosteus, Vesikulepis and Silmalepis that are basically only known from their scales and small fragments.
They might even be cousins of other fragmentary specimens, such as the Tahulalepididae, namely: Tahulalepis and Trimpleylepis.
Museums with Anaspid Collections & Exhibits
- The on-site museum at Miguasha in Canada
- Swedish Museum of Natural History
- Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow
- Natural History Museum Denmark
- Grant Museum of Zoology, London
- The Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
- American Museum of Natural History
- University of California Museum of Paleontology
Documentaries Featuring Anaspida, Related to Rytidolepis
They’re not always 100% accurate because we make new scientific discoveries all the time. But documentaries at least deliver the gist of the information in a fun and engaging way. Just click play, hit full screen and enjoy hours’ worth of awesome documentaries on first animals, right here…
1. Ancient Oceans
2019
Not just about vertebrates, but featuring some of the most awesome ancient fishes. This short documentary about early oceans and extinction events has two episodes and is available through Curiosity Stream here.
2. Life on Our Planet Episode 2
2023
Though not focused on vertebrates specifically, episode 2 of Steven Spielberg’s Netflix documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman, features a look at early life and the land transition, featuring some vertebrates like Sacabambaspis.
Watch on Netflix here.
3. Animal Armageddon Episode 2
Animal Planet, 2019
It’s hard to track down a good copy of this one, but Animal Armageddon features quite a few vertebrate evolutionary stories, pegged on the major mass extinctions they faced. This one specifically is during the Devonian, the age of fishes (vertebrates).
Also available on Amazon here.
4. Mankind Rising
2012
The 2012 TV movie production of Mankind Rising is a single animated journey from the earliest vertebrates ancestors right through to present-day humans – it’s pretty cool, maybe a bit dated, but still a lot of fun!
5. Walking with Monsters
BBC, 2005
A bit older now and flashing past early animals a bit too quickly, this one in the “Walking With” series is still pretty cool for its Cambrian bits. It’s also available via Amazon.
6. David Attenborough’s Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates
BBC, 2013
Although more focused on the evolution of vertebrates, it’s still an awesome documentary to watch. It’s available to purchase from Amazon.
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