Conodont animals (Conodontophorida)
Conodont teeth are very common fossils, known since early 1800s, but animal body only described in 1983
May or may not be true vertebrates
- Vertebrate characters: sense organs with capsules; CaPO4 mineralization
- Non-vertebrate characters: V-shaped myomeres; notochord but no trace of vertebrae
250+ million-year fossil history (Late Cambrian-Triassic)