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Ceratarges
Family: Lichidae
Era: Early-Middle Devonian
Locality: Jbel Issoumour, Morocco
Average Size: 4" in length and 3.5" across.
Ceratarges-1
Now this guy is pure attitude and total defense! Not only do you have large
genal (head) spines and pygidial (tail) spines, but you've also got sharp
pleural (side) spines. Each of the six large spines is armed with even more tiny
spines. Oh, and don't forget the head sculpture, a set of "horns." There's like
over 60 spines on this guy! Not to mention the eyes; he's got beady eyes
set in two hard stalks.
"Here's looking at you kid"
So what exactly are the horns for? They're not as thick and sturdy as
the ones on the monstrusus. Doesn't seem to do much with the aerodynamics and
he's got enough spines to keep away major predators. Perhaps elements to attract
the opposite sex? Maybe, if you could tell them apart. I can't exactly picture
two males of this species charging at each other in territorial defense either.
Hmm... Actually, that may be possible, it doesn't appear to heavy and could gain
a nice charging speed. Yup, lets leave it as territorial defense and display
organs. Kinda like on a ram or something.
A side view. Awesome horns!
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