What does amphioxus means in biology?

Amphioxus refers to a genus of small, marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Chordata, specifically the subphylum Cephalochordata. These organisms, also known as lancelets, are significant in evolutionary Biology because they exhibit key characteristics that provide insights into the early development of vertebrates. Amphioxus has a streamlined body, a notochord, and possesses features such as gill slits and a simple nervous system, making it an important model organism for studying the evolution of chordates.