Conodonts (
Greek konos, "
cone", +
odont, "tooth") are extinct
chordates resembling eels, classified in the class
Conodonta. For many years, they were known only from tooth-like microfossils found in isolation and now called
conodont elements. Knowledge about soft tissues remains limited. The animals are also called
Conodontophora (conodont bearers) to avoid ambiguity.