Leanchoilia
superlata
Phylum Arthropoda
Geological
Time: Early Cambrian, (~520 million years ago)
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 67 mm overall on a 66 mm by 123 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Stephen Formation, Burgess Shale, Burgess Pass, British Columbia, Canada
Fossil Code:
JH21
Price: $3650.00
- sold
Description:
Leanchoilia superlata is an unusual arthropod found in the Burgess
Shale Fauna of British Columbia. It is a member of a group of “great
appendage arthropods” known as opabinids after the bizarre
Opabinia from the Burgess. It is possibly also known from Utah
and Greenland, and has an older relative Leanchoilia illecebrosa
found in the Chengjiang Biota of China (see my other offerings).
The contrast between the specimen and the matrix has been enhanced
by a chemical process that removed some of the matrix overburden.
I have included a “before” photo so you can see the
difference such treatment makes. Since the specimen is typically
covered with resistant mica and is composed of the carbonized
remains of the animal, it is inert to the treatment. The result
you see here is ALL NATURAL. There has been NO PAINT added to
bring out detail. This wonderful example shows incredible detail
for a specimen more than a HALF BILLION years of age. Notice
the upturned “snout,” the sweeping appendages, body
segments, and gut trace as well as the gill filaments of the
biramous swimming appendages. The great appendage is bent backwards
and folded along the lower edge of the body. This example would
make a fine addition to any collection of Cambrian Explosion
fossils. It is also quite rare: for each 1000 Burgess specimens
only 2 are Leanchoilia; even fewer are as complete as this excellent
example. Since the location is now a World Heritage site only
specimens from old collections such as this are available.
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