Shimenolepis granifera is an extinct
yunnanolepidplacoderm from the
Xiaoxi Formation,
Li County, Hunan, China. Its age is discussed, while originally considered as late
Llandovery, it is later considered to belong to the
Ludlow Epoch instead.[1] It was the first described
Silurian placoderm, and was the earliest known placoderm until Xiushanosteus was described,[2] known from distinctively ordered plates.
Description
Plates
Shimenolepis plates are very similar to the early Devonian
yunnanolepidZhanjilepis, also known from distinctively ornamented plates.[3]