Name:
Malacostraca; Phyllocarida; Ceratiocaridae; Ceratiocaris papilio
Geological
Time: Silurian, (~420 million years ago)
Size (25.4mm=1
inch): 120 and 110 mm long on a 175 mm by 147 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Leshmagow, Scotland
Description:
This unusual Phyllocarid arthropod is known as Ceratiocaris papilio.
Phyllocarids are one of the lesser known branchiopod crustaceans from
the Cambrian where they are among the earliest animals with a hard
shell.
They have a fairly large carapace, which protects the anterior part
of the body. This structure hinged along the dorsal edge like a bivalve.
Usually only the carapace is found. Rarely are the soft parts preserved;
even more rare is a double such as this. Colloquially termed the “pod
shrimp”, the name for the genus actually means horned shrimp,
presumably for the pointed extension at the front of the carapace.
While there is a repaired matrix crack, it detracts little from this
splendid specimen. |
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