Life restoration of *Eusthenopteron foordi*
***Eusthenopteron*** is an extinct genus of lobe-finned fish from the Late Devonian. Early depictions of *Eusthenopteron* show it emerging onto land; however, everyone now agrees that it is a strictly aquatic animal. Notably, it is one of the earliest sarcopterygians in which the humerus is preserved. Among the various species of this genus, the most popular is undoubtedly *E. foordi*.

The species:

* *Eusthenopteron foordi* (type species)
* *Eusthenopteron farloviensis*
* *Eusthenopteron jenkinsi*
* *Eusthenopteron obruchevi*
* *Eusthenopteron savesoderberghi*
* *Eusthenopteron traquairi*
* *Eusthenopteron wenjukowi*

Description
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*Eusthenopteron* is a medium-to large-sized tristichopterid. *E. foordi* is estimated to exceed 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in), while *E. jenkinsi* probably reached 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in). The earliest-known fossilized evidence of bone marrow has been found in *Eusthenopteron*, which may be the origin of bone marrow in tetrapods.

The most notable features of *Eusthenopteron* are the pectoral and pelvic fins.‭ It had a large head with powerful jaws that could've been capable of biting prey. However, unlike the early tetrapods though, *Eusthenopteron* did not have larval gills.

Distribution
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Finds have been made in Europe and North America.

Some species
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*Eusthenopteron foordi* is a well-known species. The other species, however, are not well-known.

### *Eusthenopteron foordi*

*Eusthenopteron foordi* is the type species of *Eusthenopteron*. It is the most famous and well-known species of *Eusthenopterus*. It is also one of the most scientifically important fossil vertebrates.

### *Eusthenopteron farloviensis*

*Eusthenopteron farloviensis* is another species of *Eusthenopteron*. Like the other species except *E. foordi*, it is not well-known.

### *Eusthenopteron jenkinsi*

*Eusthenopteron jenkinsi* is yet another species of *Eusthenopteron*. Little is known about this species. However, it may have been up to six feet long with a torpedo-shaped body and fangs. It was probably a large species for the *Eusthenopteron*.

Paleoecology
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In Late Devonian vertebrate speciation, descendants of pelagic lobe-finned fish—like *Eusthenopteron*—exhibited a sequence of adaptations: \* *Panderichthys*, suited to muddy shallows; \* *Tiktaalik* with limb-like fins that could take it onto land; \* Early tetrapods in weed-filled swamps, such as: \* *Acanthostega* which had feet with eight digits, \* *Ichthyostega* with limbs. Descendants also included pelagic lobe-finned fish such as coelacanth species.
*Eusthenopteron* probably hunted other fish by setting ambushes on the seabed, where it rested with its robust fins. Although fleshy and particularly strong, it is in fact unlikely that they could take the animal out of the water.

What it ate
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*Eusthenopteron* preyed on smaller fish. Its teeth were small yet sharp, and were used to nab prey as the lobe-finned fish swallowed them whole.

Out of water
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*Eusthenopteron* was depicted hauling itself out of a pond, much like a mudskipper. However, no scientific evidence supports this.

Related pages
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* Hyneria
* Rhizodus
* Pleuropholis
* Eusthenodon
* Cabonnichthys
* Archaeolepidotus
* List of prehistoric bony fish genera

Fossil of *E. hoordi*, an extinct tristichopterid fish

Other websites
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* Palaeos.com – Vertebrates – Sarcopterygii (archive)
* Media related to *Eusthenopteron* at Wikimedia Commons