A New Species of Groenlandaspis Heintz, 1932 (Placodermi, Arthrodira), from the Famennian (Late Devonian) of Belgium

A new species of the phlyctaeniid arthrodire genus Groenlandaspis from the upper Famennian of Belgium is described. The remains of Groenlandaspis potyi, sp. nov., consist of dissociated thoracic armor elements, but the specimen designated to be the holotype displays the median dorsal, anterior, and posterior dorsolateral plates in articulation. Though incomplete, the new species is characterized by an equilateral triangle-shaped median dorsal plate, a protruding posterodorsal apron of the posterior dorsolateral plate behind the overlap area for the median dorsal plate, and an overall lack of ornamentation. Groenlandaspis potyi, sp. nov., constitutes the second occurrence of a Groenlandaspis species in continental Europe after the description of Groenlandaspis thorezi from upper Famennian quarries of Belgium. Another probable new species of Groenlandaspis is also described, though of unknown locality and horizon; it can, however, be deduced to be from the upper Famennian of Belgium without more precision. Together with some unpublished material of groenlandaspidids from the Famennian tetrapod-bearing locality of Strud, this material highlights the richness of Groenlandaspididae diversity in Belgium. The discovery of Groenlandaspis potyi, sp. nov., in Belgium reinforces the Famennian global distribution of this genus during this period. Also, because these organisms have been considered as nonmarine indicators, this material is another argument pleading for close relationships between Euramerica and Gondwana around the Frasnian—Famennian boundary.