Paleobiota of the Maotianshan Shales

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{{Expand list|date=July 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}

This is a list of fossils found at Maotianshan Shales, whose most famous assemblage of organisms are referred to as the Chengjiang biota.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Sites/Chengjiang.htm|title=Chengjiang Maotianshan Shales|website=www.fossilmuseum.net|access-date=10 September 2015|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309190115/http://www.fossilmuseum.net/Fossil_Sites/Chengjiang.htm|url-status=live}}

The Maotianshan Shales are a series of Early Cambrian sedimentary deposits in the Chiungchussu Formation,{{cite book |author1=Lipps, J. H. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gUQMKiJOj64C&pg=PA338 |title=Origin and early evolution of the Metazoa |author2=Signor, P. W |year=1992 | publisher=Springer |isbn=978-0-306-44067-0}} famous for their Konservat Lagerstätten, deposits known for the exceptional preservation of fossilized organisms or traces. The Maotianshan Shales form one of some forty Cambrian fossil locations worldwide exhibiting exquisite preservation of rarely preserved, non-mineralized soft tissue, comparable to the fossils of the Burgess Shale of British Columbia, Canada.

[[Ecdysozoa]]

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Acosmia

|

  • A. maotiania

|

  • 9 nearly complete specimens

|

A small ecdysozoan worm that was originally thought to have been a priapulid worm.

|

File:RCCBYU 10235 Acosmia maotiania.png

Laojieella

|

  • L. thecata

|

  • One complete and one incomplete specimen

|

An ecdysozoan worm considered close to the priapulids, it has a spiny proboscis, an elliptical theca on the posterior part of the trunk, and a caudal appendage.

|

= [[Scalidophora]] =

== [[Palaeoscolecid|Palaeoscolecidomorpha]] ==

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cricocosmia

|

  • C. jinningensis

|

|

A genus of palaeoscolecid worm. Fossils have been found with smaller worms seemingly attached to them.

|

File:Cricocosmia_with_Inquicus.jpg]]

Mafangscolex

|

  • M. sinensis
  • M. yunnanensis

|

|

|

Maotianshania

|

  • M. cylindrica

|

|

An extinct palaeoscolecid worm closely related to Cricocosmia.

|

File:Maotianshania_detail_CRF_02.jpg

Tabelliscolex

|

  • T. chengjiangensis
  • T. hexagonus
  • T. maanshanensis

|

|

A genus of palaeoscolecid worm

|

Tylotites

|

  • T. petiolaris

|

|

|

== [[Priapulida]] ==

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Corynetis

|

  • C. brevis
  • C. fortis

|

|

An archaeopriapulid worm known from the biota.

|

File:Corynetis.jpg

Ercaivermis

|

  • E. sparios

|

A single specimen.

|

A stem-group priapulid.

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Eximipriapulus

|

  • E. globocaudatus

|

|

A carnivorous priapulid-like worm that has been found living in the discarded shells of hyoliths.

|

File:Eximipriapulus.jpg

Paraselkirkia

|

  • P. sinica

|

|

An archaeopriapulid worm that resembles another worm, Selkirkia, from the Burgess shale

|

File:Paraselkirkia.jpg

Paratubiluchus

|

  • P. bicaudatus

|

Two specimens

|

|

File:Paratubiluchus.jpg

Palaeopriapulites

|

  • P. parvus

|

|

|

File:Palaeopriapulites.jpg

Selkirkia

|

  • S. elongata

|

|

A burrowing archaeopriapulid worm also known from the burgess shale, alongside the Fezouata Shale.

|

File:Selkirkia_columbia_ROM63131.jpg]]

Sicyophorus

|

  • S. rarus

|

|

A genus of archaeopriapulid worm.

|

File:Sicyophorus.jpg

Xiaoheiqingella

|

  • X. peculiaris

|

Fourteen specimens, five previously included in “Yunnanpriapulus”

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A priapulid worm thought to belong to the crown group.

|

File:Xiaoheiqingella.jpg

= [[Panarthropoda]] =

== [[Lobopodia]] ==

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Antennacanthopodia

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  • A. gracilis

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  • Known from two specimens, making the species very rare in the Chengjiang.

|

An unarmoured lobopodian, apparently closely related to Onychophora. The long, paired, cirriform structures at the end of the body could have been sensory, or perhaps represent viscera not externally present in life.

|

File:Antennacanthopodia.jpg

Cardiodictyon

|

  • C. catenulum

|

|

A highly elongate armoured lobopodian, with saddle-shaped sclerites and a lightly sclerotized head.

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File:20210926_Cardiodictyon_catenulum_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

Diania

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  • D. cactiformis

|

|

A heavily armoured lobopodian.

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File:20210429_Diania_cactiformis_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

Lenisambulatrix

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  • L. humboldti

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  • A single specimen.

|

A simple, unarmoured lobopodian.

|

File:20210928_Lenisambulatrix_humboldti_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

Onychodictyon

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  • O. ferox
  • O. gracilis

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  • Several complete specimens.

|

An enigmatic genus of lobopodian, potentially related to either the Luolishaniidae or to Tardigrada. Not always monophyletic.

|

File:20210822_Onychodictyon_ferox_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

Paucipodia

|

  • P. inermis

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  • Known from well-preserved body fossils.

|

A large unarmoured lobopodian, commonly found in association with mass death-beds of legless worms and Eldonia. Thought to have been a scavenger.

|

File:20210829_Paucipodia_inermis_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

=== [[Eoconchariidae]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Microdictyon

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  • M. sinicum

|

Roughly 100 specimens

|

Microdictyon is known from sclerite microfossils around the globe, while fossils from the Chengjiang are the only in the world to preserve the soft anatomy.

|

File:Microdictyon_Chengjiang.JPG

=== [[Hallucishaniida|Hallucishaniids]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Luolishania

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  • L. longicruris

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Around forty specimens

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Type genus of Luolishaniidae. The species Miraluolishania haikouensis is considered a juvenile synonym of Luolishania.

|

File:20210902_Luolishania_longicruris_Miraluolishania_haikouensis_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

Facivermis

|

  • F. yunnanicus

|

Thirty specimens, one formerly assigned to “Xishania”

|

Derived Luolishaniid lobopodian with five setiferous sieving appendages, and lacking any walking limbs. Sometimes discovered living in constructed tubes, buried into the sediment.

|

File:Facivermis.png

Hallucigenia

|

  • H. fortis

|

Two specimens

|

A hallucigeniid lobopodian with a bulbous sclerotized head and two pairs of small feeding appendages, borne on a short neck.

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File:20210831_Hallucigenia_fortis_diagrammatic_reconstruction.png

=== [[Lobopodia#Siberion_and_similar_taxa|Siberiidae]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Megadictyon

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  • M. haikouensis

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  • Posterior-most section of the trunk is unknown.

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A poorly known siberiid.

|

File:20191118_Megadictyon_cf._haikouensis.png

Jianshanopodia

|

  • J. decorata

|

  • Known from multiple large individuals, all from a singular exposure of the Chengjiang.

|

A giant siberiid lobopodian related to Megadictyon.

|

File:20191215_Jianshanopodia_decora.png

=== [[Lobopodia#Gilled_lobopodians|Gilled Lobopodians]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Omnidens

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  • O. amplus
  • O. qiongqii

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  • Numerous well preserved oral cones and portions of the frontal appendage.

|

A giant gilled lobopodian, closely related to Pambdelurion. Also present in the Xiaoshiba Biota.

|

File:20210222_Omnidens_Pambdelurion_size.png

== [[Radiodonta]] ==

Radiodonta are a group of highly successful panarthropods. The Chengjiang Fauna includes a large number of Radiodont species, primarily from the clade Amplectobeluidae. While hurdiids are poorly known from the formation and surrounding region, several specimens attributable to the family have been discovered, but remain unnamed. Some radiodonts from the Chengjiang defy easy classification, or are otherwise debated in their exact affinity.

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Houcaris

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  • H. saron
  • H. consimilis

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  • Isolated appendages.

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Previously described as "Anomalocaris" saron.

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File:20191221 Radiodonta frontal appendage Houcaris saron.png

Innovatiocaris

|

  • I. maotianshanensis
  • I. multispiniformis
  • I. sp.

|

  • Complete fossil and isolated appendages

|Previously assigned to the Anomalocaris genus, and one of the most completely known radiodonts.

|File:20210624 Innovatiocaris maotianshanensis.png

Laminacaris

|

  • L. chimera

|

  • Giant isolated appendages, up to nearly 30 centimetres long.

|

A giant radiodont combining features from different clades.

|

File:20191221_Radiodonta_frontal_appendage_Laminacaris_chimera.png

=== [[Amplectobeluidae]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Amplectobelua

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  • A. trispinata

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  • Dozens of isolated appendages, and at least one complete body of a juvenile.

|

A large Amplectobeluid radiodont with long tail furcae. The frontal appendages formed a distinctive claw-like shape.

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File:20191201_Amplectobelua_symbrachiata.png

Lyrarapax

|

  • L. trilobus
  • L. unguispinus

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  • Known from appendages and complete body fossils, including neural anatomy.

|

Small Amplectobeluid radiodont. Some specimens of this genus represent some of the smallest known radiodonts.

|

File:20210611_Lyrarapax.png

Ramskoeldia

|

  • R. platyacantha
  • R. consimilis?

|

  • Known from appendages, often associated with GLS plates, sclerites, and swimming flaps.

|

Large Amplectobeluid radiodonts, with crushing gnathobases. The species R. consimilis may belong to Houcaris instead.{{cite journal |last1=McCall |first1=Christian R. A. |title=A large pelagic lobopodian from the Cambrian Pioche Shale of Nevada |journal=Journal of Paleontology |date=September 2023 |volume=97 |issue=5 |pages=1009–1024 |doi=10.1017/jpa.2023.63 |bibcode=2023JPal...97.1009M |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-paleontology/article/abs/large-pelagic-lobopodian-from-the-cambrian-pioche-shale-of-nevada/11B0704C49A7730AA3E8F46EB2CA1C95 |language=en |issn=0022-3360}}

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File:20191221_Radiodonta_frontal_appendage_Ramskoeldia.png

=== [[Anomalocarididae]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Anomalocaris

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  • A. cf. canadensis

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  • Isolated appendages.

|

|

File:Anomalocaris cf. canadensis JS-1880.png

Lenisicaris

|

  • L. lupata

|

  • Isolated appendages.

|

A second species is included in the genus, Lenisicaris pennsylvanica, from the Kinzers Formation.

|

File:20210513_Radiodonta_frontal_appendage_Lenisicaris_lupata.png

Shucaris

|

  • S. ankylosskelos

|

  • Isolated appendages.
  • Oral cone
  • Partial body

|

An unusual radiodont seemingly transitional between anomalocaridids and amplectobeluids, with an oral cone similar to the former but gnathobase-like structures similar to the latter.

|File:3D model of Shucaris ankylosskelos appendage.png

=== [[Hurdiidae|Hurdiidae (Peytoiidae)]] ===

Hurdiids (peytoiids) have historically been considered absent, or at least rare, from the Chengjiang Biota, an observation that researchers have found confusing given their regularity at other sites. In recent years, a number of fragmentary hurdiid fossils have been described, including 3 partial appendages belonging to a new species of Stanleycaris,{{cite journal |last1=Wu |first1=Yu |last2=Pates |first2=Stephen |last3=Ma |first3=Jiaxin |last4=Lin |first4=Weiliang |last5=Wu |first5=Yuheng |last6=Zhang |first6=Xingliang |last7=Fu |first7=Dongjing |title=Addressing the Chengjiang conundrum: A palaeoecological view on the rarity of hurdiid radiodonts in this most diverse early Cambrian Lagerstätte |journal=Geoscience Frontiers |date=1 November 2022 |volume=13 |issue=6 |pages=101430 |doi=10.1016/j.gsf.2022.101430 |issn=1674-9871|doi-access=free |bibcode=2022GeoFr..1301430W }} an isolated sclerite assigned to Cambroraster,{{cite journal |last1=Liu |first1=Yu |last2=Lerosey-Aubril |first2=Rudy |last3=Audo |first3=Denis |last4=Zhai |first4=Dayou |last5=Mai |first5=Huijuan |last6=Ortega-Hernández |first6=Javier |title=Occurrence of the eudemersal radiodont Cambroraster in the early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte and the diversity of hurdiid ecomorphotypes |journal=Geological Magazine |date=July 2020 |volume=157 |issue=7 |pages=1200–1206 |doi=10.1017/S0016756820000187 |bibcode=2020GeoM..157.1200L |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/geological-magazine/article/abs/occurrence-of-the-eudemersal-radiodont-cambroraster-in-the-early-cambrian-chengjiang-lagerstatte-and-the-diversity-of-hurdiid-ecomorphotypes/D4AD12D56D158EC7AFD9ACBA499B6A7C |language=en |issn=0016-7568}} Zhenghecaris (the affinities of which, even its identity as a radiodont, remains questionable), and isolated lateral scelrites (also questionable).{{cite journal |last1=Zeng |first1=Han |last2=Zhao |first2=Fangchen |last3=Yin |first3=Zongjun |last4=Zhu |first4=Maoyan |title=Morphology of diverse radiodontan head sclerites from the early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte, south-west China |journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology |date=2 January 2018 |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=1–37 |doi=10.1080/14772019.2016.1263685 |bibcode=2018JSPal..16....1Z |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14772019.2016.1263685 |language=en |issn=1477-2019}}

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cambroraster

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  • C. sp.

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  • Head sclerites.

|

A large nektobenthic hurdiid, first known from the Burgess Shale. Fossils of Cambroraster are also known from Mantou Formation of North China,{{cite journal |last1=Sun |first1=Zhixin |last2=Zeng |first2=Han |last3=Zhao |first3=Fangchen |title=Occurrence of the hurdiid radiodont Cambroraster in the middle Cambrian (Wuliuan) Mantou Formation of North China |journal=Journal of Paleontology |date=September 2020 |volume=94 |issue=5 |pages=881–886 |doi=10.1017/jpa.2020.21 |bibcode=2020JPal...94..881S |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-paleontology/article/abs/occurrence-of-the-hurdiid-radiodont-cambroraster-in-the-middle-cambrian-wuliuan-mantou-formation-of-north-china/8FF98FC560D8C3D4013B78D659A51C6F |language=en |issn=0022-3360}} making this a very widespread genus. This genus was the first definitive peytoiid known from China.

|File:Cambroraster H-element ROMIP 65079.jpeg

Zhenghecaris

|

  • Z. shankouensis

|

  • Sclerites

|

Large-sized arthropod carapace, originally described as bivalved arthropod close to Thylacocephala, later reinterpreted as hurdiid radiodont close to Cambroraster, its classification is still discussed. Some fossils, apparently the lateral scelrites of a radiodont, connected anteriorly by a "beak" and featuring two-pronged, wing-like processes posteriorly (similar to the lateral processes of Zhenghecaris's central head sclerite), have also been attributed to Zhenghecaris.

|File:2019 Moysiuk & Caron f07 A-B.jpg

== [[Arthropod|Arthropoda]] ==

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Chuandianella

|

  • C. ovata

|

  • Several body fossils and carapaces

|An enigmatc bivalved arthropod originally considered close to Waptia. It was then discovered that it lacked mandibles and therefore does not belong to Hymenocarina, the Waptiidae family, and even the larger mandibulata clade.

|File:Chuandianella_life_reconstruction.jpg

Combinivalvula

|

  • C. chengjiangensis

|

|

An enigmatic bivalved arthropod.

|

Cucumericrus

|

  • C. decorata

|

  • Multiple fragmentary specimens.

|

An enigmatic arthropod that has been tentatively classified as a possible radiodont, although a position closely related to Erratus as the most primitive deuteropod is more likely.

|

File:20210207_Cucumericrus_decoratus_trunk_appendage.png

Cyathocephalus

|

  • C. bispinosus

|

|

|

Diplopyge

|

  • D. forcipatus
  • D. minutus

|

|

|

Dongshanocaris

|

  • D. foliiformis

|

|

A small arthropod that is currently "too poorly preserved to verify their identity as a valid taxa".

|

Erratus

|

  • E. sperare

|

  • Several carapaces
  • Eyes and other body parts

|

A bivalved arthropod currently placed as the most basal deuteropod, that shows the origins of lungs and legs in early arthropods.

|File:Erratus.png

Ercaia

|

  • E. miniscula

|

|

An arthropod that has been speculated to be an early crustacean.

|

Forfexicaris

|

  • F. valida

|

|

A small bivalved arthropod that somewhat resembles ostracods, but also has large, upward facing appendages with spines.

|

File:Forfexicaris_valida.jpg

Glossocaris

|

  • G. occulatus

|

|

|

Isoxys

|

  • I. auritus
  • I. curvirostratus
  • I. paradoxus

|

|

A basal nektonic arthropod that possessed a bivalved carapace, and large circular eyes, related to Surusicaris from the Burgess Shale. Also found in various other Cambrian aged sites.

|File:Artistic reconstruction of Isoxys curvirostratus.jpg

Jianshania

|

  • J. furcatus

|

|

A small, somewhat enigmatic arthropod known from the biota

|

File:Jianshania.png

Kunmingocaris

|

  • K. bispinosus

|

|

|

Kylinxia

|

  • K. zhangi

|

  • Almost complete fossil
  • Isolated frontal appendages

|

An early arthropod that may show the "missing link" between early stem-arthropods, and more advanced true arthropods. It possessed frontal appendages similar to radiodonts.

|

File:20210310_Kylinxia_zhangi.png

Mafangia

|

  • M. subscalaria

|

|

|

Mafangocaris

|

  • M. multinodus

|

|

|

Occacaris

|

  • O. oviformis

|

|

A predatory arthropod that had spiked frontal appendages similar to those of the megacheirans, and was previously thought to have belonged to that grouping

|

File:Occacaris_oviformis.jpg

Ovalicephalis

|

  • O. mirabilis

|

|

|

Parapaleomerus

|

  • P. sinensis

|

|

An arachnomorph arthropod of the group strabopida. Unlike the other members of strabopida, Parapaleomerus lacks dorsal eyes and only possesses ten trunk tergites. The telson has been described as trapezoidal in shape.

|

File:Parapaleomerus_sinensis_restoration.png

Pisinnocaris

|

  • P. subconigera

|

|

|

Pseudoiulia

|

  • P. cambriensis

|

|

A poorly known arthropod that, in 2013, was suggested to be a member of the family Kootenichelidae, alongside Kootenichela and Worthenella.

|

Pterotum

|

  • P. triacanthus

|

|

|

Rhombicalvaria

|

  • R. acanthi

|

|

|

Sunella

|

  • S. grandis

|

|

|

Syrrhaptis

|

  • S. intes

|

|

|

Tanglangia

|

  • T. caudata

|

|

|

Tauricornicaris

|

  • T. latizonae
  • T. oxygonae

|

|

A giant arthropod once misidentified as a peytoiid radiodont.

|

Wutingella

|

  • W. bindosa

|

|

|

Yiliangocaris

|

  • Y. ellipticus

|

|

|

Youti

|

  • Y. yuanshi

|

|

|File:Youti_yuanshi.jpg

Yunnanocaris

|

  • Y. megista

|

|

|

=== [[Hymenocarina]] ===

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Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Branchiocaris

|

  • B. yunnanensis

|

  • Several isolated carapaces

|

Also known in the Burgess Shale by B. pretiosa, B. yunnanensis is only known from isolated carapaces, although it is thought that this may be because in this species the carapace covered the entire body. It also has two morphotypes.

|

File:Branchiocaris.png

Canadaspis

|

  • C. laevigata

|

|

A hymenocarine arthropod, also known from the Burgess Shale by C. perfecta, although some authors believe that both species should be separated into different genera. They were mainly benthic animals.

|File:Canadaspis laevigata.png

Clypecaris

|

  • C. pteroidea
  • C. serrata

|

|

A hymenocarine arthropod. The species in the genus are primarily distinguished by the presence of a serrated edge on the front of the carapace of C. serrata. C. serrata is noted for the modification of an anterior pair of limbs into spined grasping appendages, indicating a predatory lifestyle.

|

File:Clypecaris serrata.png

Ercaicunia

|

  • E. multinodosa

|

|

A hymenocarine arthropod that had a bivalved carapace which covered about a third of its total body-length, and had up to six serrations on its forward edge. The head had a pair of large uniramous antennae, as well as a smaller pair of secondary antennae, and a pair of mandibles and maxillae.

|File:Ercaicunia multinodosa pennetta.png

Erjiecaris

|

  • E. minusculo

|

|

A small euarthropod, and unlike other hymenocarines, it possibly had eyes directly on top of its carapace. It was most likely a nektobenthic animal.

|File:Erjiecaris.png

Pectocaris

|

  • P. spatiosa
  • P. eurypetala
  • P. inopinata

|

|

A bivalved arthropod of the hymenocarina grouping. The species P. spatiosa is regarded as a filter feeder, using the setae on the endites of their limbs to filter out matter from the water column

|

File:Pectocaris_spatiosa.png

Synophalos

|

  • S. xynos

|

|

A hymenocarine notable for fossils showing a bizarre chain of multiple individuals. Although the purpose for this behavior is unknown, it may have served a reproductive, migratory, or defensive purpose, with the authors of the describing paper of this genus considering migration as its most likely function.

|

File:Synophalos_(grupo).png

Tuzoia

|

  • T. sinensis

|

  • several carapaces and soft body parts

|A large hymenocarine that possessed a semicircular bivalved carapace, and was one of the largest arthropods from the Cambrian

|File:Tuzoia life restoration.jpg

Jugatacaris

|A. agillis

|

  • several carapaces and soft body parts

|A hymenocarine arthropod. The carapace of the animal was around 28 to 37 millimetres (1.1 to 1.5 in) in length, with a pronounced ridge at the top of the carapace separating the two valves, which formed a fin-like structure raised above the carapace. The head had a pair of stalked eyes, as well as a dumbbell shaped medial eye between them. The head also bore a pair of mandibles as well as at least one and possibly two pairs of antennules.

|File:Jugatacaris.png

Xiazhuangocaris

|X. chenggongensis

|

  • a single specimen (NIGP 172765), which only preserves the carapace and trunk regions

|A hymenocarine with no known head fossils. The material known show that the carapace had a pronounced pair of notches at its front, as well as a posterior notch at its rear. The body had at least 13 tergite-pleurite rings, which terminate in a pair of rounded caudal rami, which are fringed with setae.

|File:Xiazhuangocaris.png

=== [[Fuxianhuiida]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Chengjiangocaris

|

  • C. longiformis
  • C. kunmingensis

|

|

A Fuxianhuiid arthropod with numerous appendages. It is one of the most complete arthropods from the lower Cambrian.

|

File:20211117 Chengjiangocaris kunmingensis.png

Fuxianhuia

|

  • F. protensa

|

|

A large arthropod named after Fuxian Lake. Some adult specimens are found closely associated with numerous juveniles, indicating a level of parental care.

|

File:20211117_Fuxianhuia_protensa.png

Liangwangshania

|

  • L. biloba

|

|

A roughly 7 cm long fuxianhuiid, with which Shankouia is potentially synonymous through sexual dimorphism.

|

|

=== [[Bradoriida]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Comptaluta

|

  • C. inflata
  • C. kailiensis

|

|

|

Indiana

|

  • I. sp.

|

|

|

File:Indiana_Bradoriida.jpg

Jiucunella

|

  • J. paulula

|

|

|

Kunmingella

|

  • K. angustacostata
  • K. douvillei
  • K. guanshanensis

|

|

|File:Kunmingella.png

Kunyangella

|

  • K. cheni

|

|

|

Liangshanella

|

  • L. liangshanensis

|

|

|

Malongella

|

  • M. bituerculata

|

|

|

Parakunmingella

|

  • P. malongensis

|

|

|

Spinokunmingella

|

  • S. typica

|

|

|

Tsunyiella

|

  • T. daindongensis

|

|

|

=== [[Megacheira]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Haikoucaris

|

  • H. ercaiensis

|

|

|

File:20191020_Haikoucaris_ercaiensis.png

==== [[Megacheira|Leanchoiliidae]] ====

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Alalcomenaeus

|

  • A. cambricus

|

|

A small arthropod related to Leanchoilia, also known from the Burgess Shale.

|

File:20210422_Alalcomenaeus_cambricus.png

Leanchoilia

|

  • D. asiatica
  • L. illecebrosa

|

|

One of the several species of Leanchoilia, it has known juvenile specimens and the labrum morphology known.

|

File:Leanchoilia_illecebrosa.jpg

==== [[Megacheira|Jianfengiidae]] ====

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Fortiforceps

|

  • F. foliosa

|

|

|

File:20191025 Fortiforceps foliosa.png

Sklerolibyon

|*S. maomima

|

|

|File:Sklerolibyon reconstruction.png

Jianfengia

|

  • J. multisegmentalis

|

|

|

File:Aria_et_al._2020_Jianfengia_multisegmentalis_reconstruction.png

Parapeytoia

|

  • P. yunnanensis

|

|

A jianfengiid once misidentified as a radiodont

|

File:20191021_Parapeytoia_yunnanensis_ventral_structures.png

=== [[Marrellomorpha]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Primicaris

|

  • P. larvaformis

|

|

|

File:Primicaris_3D.png

=== [[Artiopod|Artiopoda]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Acanthomeridion

|

  • A. serratum

|

Multiple Specimens.

|

|File:Acanthomeridion diagram.jpg

Cindarella

|

  • C. eucalla

|

|

|

File:Cindarella.png

Kuamaia

|

  • K. lata
  • K. muricata

|

|

|

File:Kuamaia_lata.svg

Panlongia

|

  • P. tetranudosa

|

|

|

File:Panlongia_spinosa_CRF.jpeg

Pygmaclypeatus

|

  • P. daiensis

|

|

|

File:Pygmaclypeatus.tif

Retifacies

|

  • R. abnormalis

|

|

|

File:Retifacies.jpg

Saperion

|

  • S. glumaceum

|

|

|

Sidneyia

|

  • S. malongensis
  • S. minor
  • S. sinica

|

|

|

File:Sidneyia minor.png

Sinoburius

|

  • S. lunaris

|

|

|

File:Sinoburius 7.png

Skioldia

|

  • S. aldna

|

|

|

Squamacula

|

  • S. clypeata

|

|

|

File:S._clypeata.png

Tonglaiia

|

  • T. bispinosa

|

Single specimen.

|

|

File:Tonglaiia bispinosa.png

Urokodia

|

  • U. aequalis

|

|

An arthropod that had segmentation which resembled that of a millipede, as well as head and tail shields with thorny spikes. Recently, it was recovered as the most basal artiopod.

|

File:Urokodia restoration.png

Xandarella

|

  • X. spectaculum

|

|

|

File:Xandarella.png

Zhugeia

|

  • Z. acuticaudata

|

|

|

File:Zhugeia acuticaudata.png

==== [[Nektaspida]] ====

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Misszhouia

|

  • M. longicaudata

|

|

|

File:Misszhouia.png

Naraoia

|

  • N. spinosa

|

|

|

File:Naraoia_spinosa.jpg

Kangacaris

|

  • K. shui

|

|

|

File:Kangacaris zhangi.jpg

=== [[Trilobite|Trilobita]] ===

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Eoredlichia

|

  • E. intermedia

|

|

|

File:Eoredlichia_intermedia_life_restoration.jpg

Kuanyangia

|

  • K. pustulosa

|

|

|

Palaeolenus

|

  • E. miniscula

|

|

|

File:Palaeolenus_douvillei_pair.jpg

Tsunyidiscus

|

  • T. aclis

|

|

|

File:Tsunyidiscus_niutitangensis_linedrawing.jpg

Wutingapsis

|

  • W. tingi

|

|

|

Yunnanocephalus

|

  • Y. yunnanensis

|

|

|

File:Yunnanocephalus_S_CRF.jpg

[[Spiralia]]

= Clade [[Gnathifera (clade)|Gnathifera]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Amiskwia

|

  • A. sinica

|

|

|

Inquicus

|

  • I. fellatus

|

|

|

File:Inquicus_fellatus.jpg

== [[Chaetognatha]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Ankalodous

|

  • A. ercainella

|

|

|

Eognathacantha

|

  • E. ercainella

|

|

|

File:Eognathacantha_ercainella.jpg

Protosagitta

|

  • P. spinosa

|

|

|

File:Protosagitta spinosa.jpg

= [[Lophotrochozoa]] =

== [[Annelid]]a ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Iotuba

|

  • I. chengjiangensis

|

|

|

File:Iotuba_chengjiangensis.tif

== [[Mollusca]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Orthrozanclus

|

  • O. elongata

|

|

|

File:Orthrozanclus_elongata_reconstruction.jpg

Wiwaxia

|

  • W. papillo

|

|

|

File:Lateral aspect of Wiwaxia papilio.png

== [[Hyolitha]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Ambrolinevitus

|

  • A. maximus
  • A. platypluteus
  • A. ventricosus

|

|

|

Burithes

|

  • B. yunnanensis

|

|

|

Glossolithes

|

  • G. magnus

|

|

|

Linevitus

|

  • L. billingsi
  • L. flabellaris
  • L. opimus

|

|

|

== [[Phoronid|Phoronida]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Eophonoris

|

  • E. chengjiangensis

|

|

|

== [[Entoprocta]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cotyledion

|

  • C. tylodes

|

|

|File:Reconstruction of Cotyledion tylodes.jpg

== [[Cornulitida]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cambrocornulitus

|

  • C. rarus

|

|

|

== [[Brachiopoda]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Diandongia

|

  • D. pista

|

|

|

Heliomedusa

|

  • H. orienta

|

|

|

File:Heliomedusa_orienta.jpg

Lingulella

|

  • L. orienta

|

|

|

File:Botsfordia_caelata_1.png

Lingulellotreta

|

  • L. malongensis

|

|

|

Longtancunella

|

  • L. chengjiangensis

|

|

|

Yuganotheca

|

  • Y. elegans

|

|

|

[[Deuterostome|Deuterostomia]]

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Yunnanozoon

|

  • Y. lividium

|

|A species of deuterostome animal with controversial taxonomy, with some authors placing it as an chordate, stem-vertebrate, hemichordate, etc.

|

File:Yunnanozoon_lividum_RCCBYU_10310.jpg

= [[Chordate|Chordata]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cathaymyrus

|

  • C. diadexus
  • C. haikouensis

|

|A chordate known from the Yunnan Province with potential relations to cephalochordates like lancelets.

|

File:Cathaymyrus_diacodexis.jpg]]

Haikouichthys

|

  • H. ercaicunensis

|

|An early craniate (an animal with a distinct notochord and head) of the Myllokunmingiida order. Some authors consider it potentially synonymous with the contemporary Myllokunmingia.{{Cite journal |last1=Lerosey-Aubril |first1=R. |last2=Ortega-Hernández |first2=J. |year=2024 |title=A long-headed Cambrian soft-bodied vertebrate from the American Great Basin region |journal=Royal Society Open Science |volume=11 |issue=7 |at=240350 |bibcode=2024RSOS...1140350L |doi=10.1098/rsos.240350 |pmc=11267725 |pmid=39050723 |doi-access=free}}

|

File:Haikouichthys NT2.jpg

Myllokunmingia

|

  • M. fengjiaoa

|

|A myllokunmingiid known for its wide body plan, sail-like fin on its dorsal plane, and a non-biomineralized skeleton.

|

File:Myllokunmingia NT.jpg

Shankouclava

|

  • S. anningense
  • S. shankouense

|

|

Likely one of the earliest known tunicates, alongside Cheungkongella and possibly “Palaeoikopleuria”.

|File:Shankouclava_anningense.jpg

Zhongjianichthys

|

  • Z. rostratus

|

|Another myllokunmingiid known for lacking a dorsal fin, and having a more slim body compared to its two contemporary relatives.

|

File:Zhongjianichthys_rostratus.jpg

Zhongxiniscus

|

  • Z. intermedius

|

|An early chordate thought to represent a transitional form between earlier chordates, and more derived craniates.

|

File:Zhongxiniscus.png

== [[Vetulicolia]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Beidazoon

|

  • B. venustum

|

|

|

File:Beidazoon_venustum_copy.jpg

Didazoon

|

  • D. haoae

|

|

|

File:Didazoon_haoae.jpg

Pomatrum

|

  • P. ventralis

|

|

|

File:Xidazoon_stephanus_e.jpg

Vetulicola

|

  • V. cuneata
  • V. gantoucunensis
  • V. rectangulata

|

|

|

File:Vetulicola_rectangulata_restoration.jpg

Yuyuanozoon

|

  • Y. magnificissimi

|

|

|

File:Yuyuanozoon.jpg

= [[Ambulacraria]] =

== [[Cambroernid]]a ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Phlogites

|

  • P. brevis
  • P. longus

|

|

Senior synonym of Cheungkongella ancestralis.

|

File:Phlogites longus.png

Rotadiscus

|

  • R. grandis

|

|

|

File:Rotadiscus grandis.jpg

Stellostomites

|

  • S. eumorphus

|

|Senior synonym of Eldonia eumorpha.

|

File:Stellostomites_diagrams.png

== [[Echinoderm|Echinodermata]] ==

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Dianchicystis

|

  • D. jianshanensis

|

|

|

Vetulocystis

|

  • V. catenata

|

|

|File:Vetulocystis catenata.png

= Phylum [[Hemichordata]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Cambrobranchus

|

  • C. pelagobenthos

|

|

|

Galeaplumosus

|

  • G. abilus

|

|

|

Yuknessia

|

  • Y. simplex

|

|

|

= Phylum [[Ctenophore|Ctenophora]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Maotianoascus

|

  • M. octanarius

|

|

|

File:Maotianoascus_octanarius.JPG

Sinoascus

|

  • S. paillatus

|

|

|

File:Sinoascus papillatus.jpg

Stromatoveris

|

  • S. psygmoglena

|

|

|

Trigoides

|

  • T.aclis

= Phylum [[sea sponge|Porifera]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Allantospongia

|

  • A. mica

|

|

|

Choia

|

  • C. xiaolantianensis

|

|

|

Choiaella

|

  • C. radiata

|

|

|

Hazelia

|

  • H.

|

|

|

Leptomitella

|

  • L. confusa
  • L. conica
  • L. metta

|

|

|

Leptomitus

|

  • L. teretiusculus

|

|

|

Paraleptomitella

|

  • Paraleptomitella dictyodroma
  • Paraleptomitella globula

|

|

Quadrolaminiella

|

  • Quadrolaminiella crassa
  • Quadrolaminiella diagonalis

|

|

|

Saetaspongia

|

  • S. densa

|

|

|

Sinfoflabrum

|

  • S. antiquum

|

|

|

File:Sinoflabrum antiquum.jpg

Triticispongia

|

  • T. diagonata

|

|

= Phylum [[Cnidaria]] =

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Archisaccophyllia

|

  • A. kunmingensis

|

|

|File:Archisaccophyllia kunmingensis YKLP-10379.png

Nailiana

|

  • N. elegans

|

|

|

Priscapennamarina

|

  • P. angusta

|

|

|

Xianguangia

|

  • X. sinica

|

|

|File:Xianguangia_sinica_YKLP-13830.png

Enigmatic

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Allonnia

|

  • A. phrixothrix

|

|

|

File:Allonnia pennetta.png

Anthrotum

|

  • A. robustus

|

|

|

Batofasciculus

|

  • B. ramificans

|

|

|

Calathites

|

  • C. spinalis

|

|

|

Cambrotentacus

|

  • C. sanwuia

|

|

|

File:Cambrotentacus sanwuia.jpg

Conicula

|

  • C. straita

|

|

|

Daihua

|

  • D. sanqiong

|

|

|

File:Daihua sanqiong YKLP-13401a.png

Dinomischus

|

  • D. venustus

|

|

|

File:Dinomischus venustus YKLP-13412b.png

Discoides

|

  • D. abnormalis

|

|

|

Hippotrum

|

  • H. spinatus

|

|

|

Jiucunia

|

  • J. petalina

|

|

|

Maanshania

|

  • M. crusticeps

|

|

|

Macrocephalus

|

  • M. elongates

|

|

|

Petalilium

|

  • P. latus

|

|

Possible synonym of Nectocaris pteryx

|

File:Petalilium HK-MF-00001A 098.g2.jpg

Parvulonoda

|

  • P. dubia

|

|

|

Phacatrum

|

  • P. tubifer

|

|

|

Phasangula

|

  • P. striata

|

|

|

Pristitoites

|

  • P. bifarius

|

|

|

Rhipitrus

|

  • R. calvifer

|

|

|

Miscellaneous macroalgae

Macroalgae rank fourth in species-level diversity behind arthropods, priapulids, and sponges, and account for 71.5% of total abundance from the biota, particularly dominated by unattached (floating, planktonic, and drifting) species.{{cite journal |last1=Li |first1=Gaorong |last2=Wei |first2=Fan |last3=Guo |first3=Jin |last4=Cong |first4=Peiyun |title=Macroalgae from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota |journal=Papers in Palaeontology |date=2024 |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=e1585 |doi=10.1002/spp2.1585 |bibcode=2024PPal...10E1585L |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.1585 |language=en |issn=2056-2802}}

class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;width:100%;"
Genus

! Species

! Material

! Notes

! Images

Enteromophites

|

  • E. intestinalis

|

|Sessile, attached to the substrate.

|

Fuxianospira

|

  • F. gyrata

|The most common species of macroalgae present, accounting for 52% of all macroalgae fossils reported from the Chengjiang.

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|

Liulingjitaenia

|

  • L. alloplecta

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|

Longfengshania

|

  • L. stipitata
  • L. spheria
  • L. cordata

|

|Sessile, attached to the substrate.

|

Morania

|

  • M. fragmenta

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|File:Morania_fragmenta_(fossil_bacteria)_(Wheeler_Formation,_Middle_Cambrian;_Millard_County,_Utah,_USA)_2.jpg of Utah, USA.]]

Paralongfengshania

|

  • P. sicyoides

|

|Sessile, attached to the substrate.

|

Paradelesseria

|

  • P. sanguinea

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|

Plantulaformis

|

  • P. sinensis

|

|Sessile, attached to the substrate.

|

Punctariopsis

|

  • P. latifolia
  • P. simplexis

|

|Sessile, attached to the substrate.

|

Sinocylindra

|

  • S. yunnanensis
  • S. linearis

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|File:Zhejiang Geological Museum 20240804 121334.jpg

Tawuia

|

  • T. sp.

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|File:Tawuia NGMC.jpg

Yunnanospirellus

|

  • Y. typica
  • Y. elegans

|

|Unattached (planktonic, drifting, floating)

|

See also

= References =