Dicranocaris
guntherorum
Phylum Euarthropoda, Subphylum Arachnomorpha (sensu: Briggs and Lieberman
et al., 2008; other interpretations are emerging)
Geological
Time: Middle Cambrian, (~ 520 million years ago)
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 25 mm (curve measure) on a 55 mm by 45 mm and
30 mm by 40 mm matrix pair
Fossil Site:
Bathyuriscus Zone, Marjum Formation, House Range, Utah
Fossil Code:
STF05
Price: $1995.00
|  Description:
The Arachnomorpha houses some of the most unusual and enigmatic
arthropods of the Cambrian, and this one is no exception. It
is known as Dicranocaris  guntherorum.
The genus derives its name from a distinctive forked telson which
here is buried in the
matrix. The genus is monotypic with the sole species named after
the Gunther family of Brigham, Utah who have been instrumental
in research on Cambrian soft-bodied fauna. No other arthropod
displays the set of \characters seen in this one. The swimming
appendages are visible; I have included two negative images to
help with the interpretation. While the rest of the few specimens
known come from the Wheeler Formation, this one from the Marjum
stands out as possibly the first such example.
Reference:
Briggs and Lieberman
et al., J. Paleontol. 82 (2), 2008, pp 238-254.
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