Debeerius

Debeerius is a genus of chondrichthyan from the Mississippian age Bear Gulch Limestone of Montana, United States. It is named after Gavin de Beer. One species, D. ellefseni, is known, which is preserved in very fine detail. Melanin preserved in fossils of D. ellefseni indicates it possessed dark stripes down the length of its body. The jaw suspension of Debeerius was autodiastylic (two jointed), and it is considered a member of the subclass Holocephali.^[1]

Debeerius Temporal range: Mississippian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Restoration of Debeerius effelseni, based on preserved color patterns
D. ellefseni fossil with preserved color patterns
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Holocephali
Order:	†Debeeriiformes
Family:	†Debeeriidae
Genus:	†Debeerius Grogan & Lund, 2000
Species:	†D. ellefseni
Binomial name
†Debeerius ellefseni Grogan & Lund, 2000

Specimen of D. ellefseni preserved as a part and counterpart