Superorder Crossopterygii Species M. fairfaxi Rank Genus Subclass Sarcopterygii | Subphylum Vertebrata Phylum Chordata Order Osteolepiformes | |
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Similar Cabonnichthys, Eusthenodon, Tristichopteridae, Jarvikina, Platycephalichthys | ||
Mandageria (Pronunciation: Man-daj-ee-ree-a fair-fax-i) is an extinct genus of lobe-finned fish. Mandageria lived in the Late Devonian period (Frasnian – Famennian). It is in related group with Hyneria, however, Mandageria was smaller, but probably it hunted in the same way.
Mandageria has been named after the philanthropist James Fairfax, and the Mandagery Sandstone formation near Canowindra, Australia in which the fossils were found. Mandageria fairfaxi is the state fossil emblem for New South Wales.
Description
Mandageria was a large predator about 1.5 to 2 m (4.9 to 6.6 ft) long. It had a long torpedo-shaped body and large tail fins. Mandageria also had large pectoral fins which had helped it manoeuvre around submerged logs when preparing to attack its prey. Mandageria had a functional neck joint, an otherwise uncommon feature among fish - Tiktaalik, Tarrasius, placoderms (esp. Arthrodira) and seahorses being other exceptions.
