Kamptasaspids

Kamptasaspids are an extinct group of jawless fish, also known as anaspids, that lived during the Silurian period. They are characterized by their small size, typically less than 15 centimeters long, and their streamlined bodies. Unlike later vertebrates, they lacked true jaws and instead possessed a mouth adapted for filter-feeding. Their bodies were covered in small, overlapping scales, and they had a single dorsal fin and paired pectoral fins, which likely aided in stability.

Fossil evidence suggests that kamptasaspids were benthic or near-benthic organisms, meaning they lived on or near the seafloor. Their diet is believed to have consisted of small invertebrates and organic detritus that they filtered from the sediment or water column. These fish are considered important in understanding the early evolution of vertebrates, particularly the transition from jawless to jawed fish. Their presence indicates a diversification of early aquatic life forms during the Silurian, a period often referred to as the "Age of Fishes." While not as well-known as some other fossil fish groups, kamptasaspids provide valuable insights into the morphology and ecology of early vertebrate life.