Conodonts are a group of extinct jawless fish that where the first vertebrates with mineralized ‘teeth’, called ‘elements’. Known almost exclusively from fossils of disarticulated elements much about this charismatic group of animals is poorly understood, in particular their origin and early evolution. However, by applying a range of cutting edge analytical techniques to delve into the microscopic structure of the elements themselves, combined with evidence from vanishingly rare soft tissues, we can piece together the early history of conodonts. Highlighting their importance as the first macrophagous vertebrate predators. Dr Duncan Murdock, Collections Manager (Earth Collections), Oxford University Museum of Natural History Duncan is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Museum’s mineralogy and petrology collections, 'early life' palaeontology (including the Brasier collection), and trace fossils. His research interests are focused on: using the fossil record to understand the early evolution of animals, in particular their skeletons; how decay and preservation bias our understanding of exceptionally preserved fossils; and, the anatomy and evolution of the first vertebrates.
Image: Conodont - Duncan Murdoch