Ramsaasalepis Explained

Ramsaasalepis is an extinct genus of jawless fish. It is the type and the only known genus of the family Ramsaasalepididae, one of many families of prehistoric jawless fish, and contains the single species Ramsaasalepis porosa.

It was described based on a number of fossilized, disarticulated thelodont scales that may have had a ridged texture. The species had a well-developed vascular canal system. Based on these characteristics and its stratigraphical range, is speculated to be most closely related to the genera Septentrionia and Tahulalepis.

Ramsaasalepis lived during the Silurian period. Competition with recently evolved jawed fish has been suggested as a reason for the extinction of this and many other jawless fish species. It probably was a filter feeder.