Natural Science Forum / Biology / Paleontology / June 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7424281.stm

I like placoderms in general: in addition to being really cool-
looking, the armored fishes are scientifically fascinating and
important. A new species from Australia confirms that the placoderms
were, in addition to being the first sexually dimporphic vertebrates
(OK, we knew that), were the first to bear live young (we DIDN'T know
that.) The fossil is so well preserved an embryo attached to an
umbilical cord is discernable. Materpiscis attenboroughi, 380 million
years old, gets my vote as the fossil find of the year so far.

Matt Bille
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