Microschedia Temporal range:
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Microschedia (Image source: Geyer 1994) | |
Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Clade: | Bilateria |
(unranked): | incertae sedis |
Genus: | †
Microschedia Geyer, 1994 |
Species: | †M. amphitrite
|
Binomial name | |
†Microschedia amphitrite Geyer, 1994
|
Microschedia is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian Amouslek Formation deposits in Morocco. [1]
The fossils are approximately discoid, and covered with a net-like pattern. Fine hair-like projections extend beyond the edge of this almost-flat, firm (but non-mineralized) "shell", which bears no trace of muscle scars. [1]
Although there are problems with both brachiopod and cnidarian interpretations, no other animal group provides a good match for these fossils. [1] An affinity with the stem-group brachiopod Mickwitzia is currently considered to be the most likely interpretation for this fossil. [2]
The enigmatic Cambrian and Ordovician animals Heliomedusa, Marocella and Conchopeltis warrant comparison, although again large differences exist between these taxa. [1]
Microschedia Temporal range:
| |
---|---|
![]() | |
Microschedia (Image source: Geyer 1994) | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Clade: | Bilateria |
(unranked): | incertae sedis |
Genus: | †
Microschedia Geyer, 1994 |
Species: | †M. amphitrite
|
Binomial name | |
†Microschedia amphitrite Geyer, 1994
|
Microschedia is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian Amouslek Formation deposits in Morocco. [1]
The fossils are approximately discoid, and covered with a net-like pattern. Fine hair-like projections extend beyond the edge of this almost-flat, firm (but non-mineralized) "shell", which bears no trace of muscle scars. [1]
Although there are problems with both brachiopod and cnidarian interpretations, no other animal group provides a good match for these fossils. [1] An affinity with the stem-group brachiopod Mickwitzia is currently considered to be the most likely interpretation for this fossil. [2]
The enigmatic Cambrian and Ordovician animals Heliomedusa, Marocella and Conchopeltis warrant comparison, although again large differences exist between these taxa. [1]