Vetulicola rectangulata Enigmatic Fossil from Chengjiang
"Member of Putative New Phylum Vetulicolia"

Vetulicola rectangulata

Phylum Vetulicolia

Geological Time: Early Cambrian (~525 million years ago)

Size (25.4mm=1 inch): Fossil carapace is 64 mm long by 30 mm across Overall: 85 mm long on a 105 mm by 75 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Chengjiang Maotianshan Shales, Quiongzhusi Section, Yu’anshan Member, Heilinpu Formation Mafang Village, Haikou County, Yunnan Province, China

Fossil Code: CJF1321

Price: $750.00 - sold


Vetulicola rectangulataDescription: This unusual fossil is an example of Vetulicola rectangulata, a member of the Vetulicolians, an enigmatic group which some scientists place in their own phylum (Phylum Vetulicolia). They are thought toVetulicolia have been swimmers that either were filter feeders or detritivores. One researcher places them with the Urochordates, giving them strong affinity with the Phylum Chordata. At present, there is no agreement as to their systematic placement. This specimen comes from the Chengjiang Boita, and is thus slightly older than the Burgess Shale Fauna of British Columbia. This one is quite detailed, with both the abdomen and the carapace present. This is the least often seen species of the genus; see my other offerings for another species of these enigmatic animals, such as Vetulicola cuneata.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota Fauna List Chengjiang Fossils

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