Arthrodira

Arthrodira was a group of extinct armored jawed fishes that lived during the Paleozoic era, roughly 430 to 360 million years ago. They are characterized by a flexible neck joint connecting the head to the body, allowing a wide range of movement. Arthrodires had strong, plate-like armor covering their bodies and powerful jaws with sharp teeth, making them effective predators in their aquatic environments. They played an important role in early vertebrate evolution and are considered ancestors to some modern fish and vertebrate lineages. Their well-preserved fossils provide valuable insights into the development of jawed vertebrates.