Other forms: Devonians
The Devonian is the fourth of seven geologic periods of the Paleozoic era. It lasted from about 419 to 359 million years ago. The Devonian is known as the "Age of Fishes."
The Devonian saw an explosion in fish diversity. Fish developed jaws, bony skeletons, and scales. Early sharks appeared, and armored fish, like placoderms, became top predators. Beyond the water, the first tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) began to crawl out of the water and onto land. Plants developed roots and leaves, and the first tall trees and forests appeared. Early insects and other arthropods spread across the land. Near the end of the period, there was a major extinction that especially impacted the ecosystems of warm, shallow waters.