Cochlidiidae

/kɒˌklɪdiˈiːdiː/ noun

Definition

An extinct family of Paleozoic fish characterized by spiral, cochlea-shaped teeth used for crushing prey.

Etymology

From cochlea (spiral shell) and the family suffix -idae, referencing the distinctive coiled shape of their teeth resembling a cochlea or snail shell.

Kelly Says

The Cochlidiidae family takes its name from its spectacular spiral teeth—paleontologists named them this way because the tooth whorls literally look like tiny cochleae, connecting modern anatomy to ancient creatures!

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