Anomalocaris
cf saron
Phylum Uncertain,
Anomalocarididae
Geological
Time: Early Middle Cambrian
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Anomalocaris fossil is 25 mm long (curve measure) on
a 50 mm by 90 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Pioche Formation, Comet Shale Member, Eokochaspis nodosa subzone, Lincoln
County Nevada
Fossil Code:
MMT156
Price: Sold
|  Description:
This is the grasping arm of one of the “Terrors Of The
Cambrian” known as Anomalocaris. The members of this group
of enigmatic creatures are known from Asia, Australia, Europe,
and North America, and are thought
by many to be closely allied with the Arthropda, a position not
held by all researchers. The
spiniferous grasping appendages are strongly suggestive of its
carnivorous habits; some trilobites from Utah bear evidence of
bite marks that have been attributed to its near relative Anomalocaris
nathorsti. This example comes from a soft-bodied preservation
site known for some ten years. Two species are currently known;
A. pennsylvanica and A. cf saron. The fact that the cranidium
of a trilobite identified as Eokochaspis places it in the slightly
younger strata that houses A. cf saron. Both horizons are somewhat
older than the celebrated Burgess Shale of British Columbia.
The center image below was water wet to increase contrast. Also
see a complete Anomalocaris
fossil.
Reference:
Journal of Paleontology, 77 (4), 2003, pp 674-690.
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