Anaspid

/ˈænəspɪd/ noun

Definition

A member of an ancient group of small, jawless fish that lived during the Paleozoic Era, lacking a distinct head armor.

Etymology

From Greek ana- (without) + aspis (shield), literally 'without shield.' Scientists named these creatures this way because they lacked the heavy armored plates of contemporary armored fish.

Kelly Says

Anaspids are like the minimalist ancestors of fish—they skipped the heavy armor that other jawless fish wore and instead developed sleek, flexible bodies that could dart through ancient seas like tiny fish rockets!

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