Definition
A heterostracan refers to an individual belonging to the Heterostraci group, which is an extinct armored jawless fish. These fish lived during the Paleozoic era and are characterized by their distinctive head shields made of bony plates. Heterostracans are early vertebrates. These creatures lacked jaws and had varied body shapes. Think of them as the prototypes for armored fish ๐งช. Studying heterostracans helps in understanding vertebrate evolution.