The anatomy of conodonts

Abstract

Specimens from the Carboniferous Granton shrimp bed of Edinburgh, Scotland, provide the most complete record of conodont anatomy. Ten specimens are now known, six of which are previously undescribed, and form the basis of a new description and restoration of the conodont animal. The feeding apparatus is present in eight of the specimens; all but two of these can be assigned to Clydagnathus on the basis of the elements. A different genus and species is represented by the other two. The soft tissue morphology of all the specimens is similar. The Granton animals are elongate, 21-55 mm in preserved length with a short head, a trunk with Vshaped myomeres, and a ray-supported caudal fin. The head is characterized by two lobate structures, which are interpreted as hollow sclerotic cartilages indicating the position of large eyes. One specimen preserves traces of possible otic (auditory) capsules and branchial structures. Ventral and immediately posterior to the eyes lies the feeding apparatus, with the ramiform elements at the anterior end. There is no evidence of tissue surrounding this apparatus, indicating incomplete preservation of ventral soft parts, at least at the anterior end of the specimens.