Question

How are differences in the anatomy of lampreys and conodonts reflected in each animal's feeding method?

Short answer

Lampreys have a raspy, spherical mouth that they use to attach themselves to fish. Conodonts contain two sets of calcified tooth components that might have been utilized to impale prey and cut it apart.

Step-by-step solution

Characterization of jawless vertebrates

According to fossil records, these are incredibly primordial fishes that haven't altered much in millions of years. They have a circular, jawless mouth with rows of tiny sharp teeth that let them grasp and feed on other fish. The majority of this class's members are insects and scavengers.

Introduction of lampreys 

The lampreys are a group of roughly 38 species of living jawless vertebrates that live in various marine and freshwater habitats. Some are parasites that feed by clamping their spherical, jawless mouth onto the flank of a living fish, which serves as their "host."

Parasitic lampreys penetrate the fish's skin with their rasping mouth and tongue, ingesting the fish's blood and other tissues. Lamprey larvae grow in freshwater habitats. The larva is a lancelet-like suspension feeder that occupies much of its time half immersed in sediment.

Feeding method of lampreys and conodonts

Lampreys are the second-largest surviving jawless vertebrates, with roughly 38 species in fresh water and marine habitats. Some parasites feed by clamping their spherical, jawless mouths against the flank of their "host," a live fish.

Parasitic lampreys pierce the fish's skin with their rasping mouth and tongue, ingesting the blood and other tissues.

Conodonts were the first jawless vertebrates, existing between 500 and 200 million years ago. Conodonts, unlike lampreys, had hardened mouthparts that they utilized for predatory or scavenging purposes and cut into small pieces.