Haikouichthys is an extinct species of craniate which belonged to group of animals called fish. It had been believed that Haikouichthys have lived 525 million years ago during the Early Cambrian period.
Fossil Discovery[]
Haikouichthys was first found in the Qiongzhusi Formation from China, since then more fossils have been found from other parts of China as well.
Body Appearance[]
- Small Body-size
- Jawless
- Primitive Back-bone
Body Structure[]
Haikouichthys is about 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, smaller than most animals during it's time. Due to their jawless mouth, it could only nibble it's prey piece by piece.
Interestingly though, it had a primitive back-bone making it the ancestors of all mammals including humans. It could also move more flexibly than other animals during it's time.
Food[]
Haikouichthys most likely fed on injured prey as it's mouth would have not be suited to bite on anything at all.
Hunting Behavior[]
Haikouichthys was most likely a scavenger, using it flexible body, it could maneuver towards it's victim and scavenge it's flesh and dart away safely.
Animal Behavior[]
Although most of it's behavior are unknown, we do know that Haikouichthys were mostly social animals as they swam in shoals. They did this mostly to reduce their chances of getting predated.
Evolution Line[]
Evolution line of Haikouichthys.
Not much is know about this evolution, but it's been suggested that Haikouichthys evolves into Cephalaspi, and then into Hynerpeton.
Extinction[]
If the evolution line is correct, then Haikouichthys would have not been extinct, rather it would have survived and evolved into another species.
Trivia[]
- Haikouichthys have been featured in a show called "Walking With Monsters".
- Haikouichthys are considered as the ancestors of every living thing with a primitive back-bone.