From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 that 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 animals, or detrius, as the small dental plates of its mouth strongly suggest it was incapable of tackling large prey.
