Increasing numbers of conodont discoveries with soft tissue preservation, natural assemblages and fused clusters of the hard tissue have strengthened the hypothesis regarding the function and mechanism of the conodont feeding apparatus. Exceptional fossil preservation serves as a solid basis for modern reconstructions of the conodont apparatus illustrating the complex interplay of the single apparatus elements. Reliable published models concern the ozarkodinid apparatus of Pennsylvanian and Early Triassic conodonts. Recognition of microwear and mammal-like occlusion, especially of platform elements belonging to individuals of the genus Idiognathodus, allows rotational closure to be interpreted as the crushing mechanism of ozarkodinid platform (P1) elements. Here we describe a new icriodontid conodont cluster of Caudicriodus woschmidti that consists of one pair of icriodontan (I) and 10 pairs of coniform (C1–5) elements, with I elements being preserved in interlocking position. The special kind of element arrangement within the fused cluster provides new insights into icriodontid apparatus reconstruction and notation of elements. However, orientation of coniform elements is limited to a certain degree by possible preservational bias. Four possible apparatus models are introduced and discussed. Recognition of specific wear on denticle tips of one of the icriodontan elements forms the basis for an alternative hypothesis of apparatus motion. Analysis of tip wear suggests a horizontal, slightly elliptical motion of opposed, antagonistically operating I elements. This is supported by similar tip wear from much better preserved, but isolated, elements of Middle Devonian icriodontids. More detailed interpretation of the masticatory movement will allow enhanced understanding of anatomical specifications, diet and palaeobiology of different euconodont groups.

随着软组织的保存，自然组合和硬组织的融合簇，牙形石发现的数量不断增加，这强化了有关牙形石进给装置的功能和机理的假说。出色的化石保存为牙形石设备的现代重建奠定了坚实的基础，阐明了单个设备元素之间的复杂相互作用。可靠的已发表模型涉及宾夕法尼亚州和早三叠世牙形牙形石的ozarkodinid装置。识别微磨损和类哺乳动物的咬合，尤其是属于犬齿亚纲属个体的平台元件，允许将旋转闭合解释为ozarkodinid平台（P1）元素的压碎机制。在这里，我们描述了Caudicriodus woschmidti的一个新的齿龙牙形齿簇它由一对二十碳四烯酮（I）和十对圆锥形（C1-5）元素组成，其中I元素保留在互锁位置。融合簇内的元素布置的一种特殊形式提供了新的见解，介绍了牙齿矫正器的重建和元素标记。但是，由于可能的保存偏差，圆锥形元件的取向在一定程度上受到限制。介绍并讨论了四种可能的设备模型。对二十碳四烯鞣质元素之一的齿尖上的特定磨损的识别构成了装置运动的另一种假设的基础。刀尖磨损的分析表明，相对的，对抗性工作的I元件呈水平椭圆形运动。来自中泥盆纪白垩纪牙齿的保存得更好但孤立的类似尖端磨损也证明了这一点。