Enigmatic Anomalocaris Relative Parapeytoia from Chengjiang

Parapeytoia yunnanensis

Phylum Uncertain, Anomalocarididae (?)

Geological Age: Early Cambrian (~525 million years ago)

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): 46 mm long, 18 mm across on a 70 mm by 63 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Maotianshan Shales of Chengjiang, Quiongzhusi Section, Yu’anshan Member, Heilinpu Formation, Mao Tian Hill, Yuxi, Chengjiang County, Yunnan Province, China

Code: CJF1255

Price: $995.00 - sold


Parapeytoia yunnanensis FossilDescription: The discovery of the Chengjiang Biota by Hou Xian-guang in 1984 opened a window onto a remarkable array of lifeforms from what is termed the Cambrian Explosion. The diversity of soft-tissue fossils is astonishing: algae, medusiforms, sponges, priapulids, annelid-like worms, echinoderms, arthropods (including trilobites), hemichordates, chordates, and the first agnathan fish make up just a small fraction of the total.Parapeytoia Numerous problematic forms are known as well, some of which may have represented failed attempts at diversity that did not persist to the present day.

Parapeytoia yunnanensisThis is a near complete example of Parapeytoia yunnanensis, believed to be a relative of the “Terror Of The Cambrian”, Anomalocaris saron (see interpretive drawing). 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 Arthropoda, as position not held by all researchers. This type is known from mostly fragmentary remains, but the backward-facing mouth and drastically different morphology of the grasping appendages have led some researchers to propose that Parapeytoia is not an Alomalocarid, but rather more closely allied with the great appendage arthropods such as Haikoucaris (see my other offerings). This one comes from the most famous location of all, Maotianshan (Mao Tian Hill), site of the discovery of the Chengjiang Biota by Hou Xian-guang in 1984.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota Fauna List Chengjiang Fossils

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