Ostracodermi
- noun
- /ˌɑstrəkoʊˈdɜrmi/
- Specialized
- Unlike modern fish, Ostracodermi lacked jaws and possessed heavy bony shields.
Examples
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Fossils of Ostracodermi provide insights into the evolution of early jawless vertebrates.
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The distinctive armor plates of Ostracodermi have fascinated paleontologists since their discovery.
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Fossils of Ostracodermi provide insights into the early evolution of vertebrates.
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The Ostracodermi were fascinating creatures of the Paleozoic era.
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Many fossils of Ostracodermi have been discovered in sedimentary rocks.
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The bony shields of Ostracodermi are key features that help paleontologists study ancient marine life.
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Researchers have discovered numerous specimens of Ostracodermi in Paleozoic sedimentary layers.
Synonyms
A fish without jaws that had heavy bony armor and lived long ago
An extinct group of armored, jawless fish that lived a long time ago
A group of armored jawless fish that lived in ancient seas and are now extinct
An extinct group of early fish with bony head shields
A fish-like animal with a backbone and no jaws or paired fins, like lampreys
A long eel-like fish without jaws or paired fins
Surface Forms
Morphology
Ostracodermi = ostracoderm (opaque) = ostraco + derm + i
The base term 'ostracoderm' and its parts are specialized combining forms unfamiliar to general learners, so the plural '-i' does not make the meaning derivable for a typical learner.
Etymology
Ostracodermi comes from Greek parts ostraco- meaning 'shell' and derma meaning 'skin'. These were early jawless fish covered in bony shields, so the name is like 'shell-skin' and helps explain their heavy armor.