Arandaspis Plush

Arandaspis prionotolepis was an ancient species of jawless fish that lived during the Ordovician period, roughly 480 to 470 million years ago. Fossils of this primitive vertebrate were first uncovered in 1959 in the Stairway Sandstone near Alice Springs, Australia. However, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that scientists recognised Arandaspis as one of the oldest known vertebrates. Its name honours the Arrernte people, the Indigenous Australian group from the region where it was discovered.

This small fish measured around 12–14 cm (5–6 in) in length and was encased in rows of knobbly, armoured scutes. The front of its body was protected by rigid plates with openings for its eyes, nostrils, and gills. While details of its trunk and tail remain uncertain, Arandaspis is believed to have lacked paired fins, and its tail may have been relatively simple in structure.

Scientists think Arandaspis may have been a filter-feeder, drawing in food particles from the water. Its discovery provides valuable insights into the early evolution of vertebrates, helping researchers understand how some of the first armoured fish adapted to their ancient marine environments.