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conodont
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conodont

Extinct eel-like organism 520-240 million years old. Several thousand species have been described, ranging from 1-40 cm/0.4-15.8 in in length. They were predators, and, following the discovery of a large fossil in South Africa in 1995, are believed to be the first vertebrates. This fossil of a 40-cm/15.8-in conodont shows fossilized soft tissue including muscle and eyes. It has eye muscles, an exclusively vertebrate feature, and ‘real teeth’.

Conodont fossils consist mainly of teeth, and are often abundant, especially in Upper Cambrian and Triassic limestone. They were first discovered by Russian naturalist Christian Pander (1794-1865).



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Since then, volume after volume has appeared, dealing with trace fossils, spores, conodonts, sponges, plants, graptolites, foraminifers, brachiopods and, yes, more trilobites (according to some, too many, but never mind).
Early Silurian Trilobites of Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada by Pratt, Brian R. / Geoscience Canada
Last year, scientists at Leicester University in England demonstrated that enigmatic fossils known as conodonts in fact represent the earliest known vertebrates.
Jump-start for the vertebrates; new clues to how our ancestors got a ... by Monastersky, Ronald / Science News
Once regarded as the greatest unsolved puzzle in paleontology, tiny fossils known as conodonts are finally revealing their true identity as some of our most ancient relatives, according to two new studies reported this week.
Fossil enigma bares teeth, tells its tale by Monastersky, Richard / Science News
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