1. What are they and Why are they important?
Conodonts
What are they and Why are they important?

2. Lived in Paleozoic era, became extinct in early Mesozoic.
Microfossil: Small fossil, usually less than one millimeter in diameter.
Lived in Paleozoic era, became extinct in early Mesozoic.
Very abundant: hundreds in just one sample.

3. Conodonts are only elements
Made of apatite, the elements are only preserved part of actual animal.
Contain a basal cavity and a cusp which has protrusions appearing.
Thought to be used as a filter device.

4. Over 1500 Species!

5. Importance
Because there are so many, they can be used to help correlate areas of time in the Paleozoic.
Conodonts elements can be used to figure out the climate changes in the Paleozoic.
Water depth or distance from shore.

6. Importance Continued…
Global rises and falls in sea level.
The great abundance helps with understanding the evolutionary relationships
Understanding geochemical characteristics of Paleozoic oceans.