''Punk ferox'' is a species of aplacophoran mollusc known from the Homerian Coalbrookdale Formation of England. It is the only species within the genus ''Punk''.

Description

''Punk'' is elongate and vermiform, with rounded anterior and posterior ends. The dorsal surface bears a median ridge which widens near the anterior, with a low hump near the midpoint. The flanks of the ridge become more dorsolateral, meeting at the posterior tip of the animal. It lacks valves, instead bearing many long upwards-facing spines (likely mineralised spicules), with these fanning out near the anterior and the anterior margin bearing shorter "head spines". The dorsal surface is better preserved than the ventral, with a sharp margin between the two. The head is short with a subcylindrical boss possibly representing a buccal mass, alongside a sub-semicircular possible anterior plate. The posterior portion of ''Punks trunk bears around 25 subconical projections near the median ridge, likely gills. A thin plate is preserved inside this ridge, likely displaced from an unknown original position.

Etymology

The genus name ''Punk'' derives from a "fancied resemblance of the spicule array to the spiked hairstyles associated with the

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

movement". The species name ''ferox'' translates to "bold" or "defiant", with no reason given.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q131861055 Silurian molluscs Aplacophorans Silurian animals of Europe Wenlock series fossils Fossil taxa described in 2025

Description

Etymology

See also

References