Vetulicola, An Enigmatic Guanshan Biota Fossil

Description: This unusual fossil is a species of Vetulicola, a member of the Vetulicolians, an enigmatic group which some scientists place in their own phylum (Phylum Vetulicolia). They are thought to have been swimmers that either were filter feeders or detritivores. One researcher places them with the Urochordates, giving them strong affinity with the Phylum Chordata. At present, there is no agreement as to their systematic placement. This specimen comes from the strata immediately above the Chengjiang Boita, and is thus slightly younger, more closely contemporary with the Burgess Shale Fauna of British Columbia. The Guanshan Fauna shares a number of genera with the older Chengjiang Biota, but differs at the species level.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota Fauna List Chengjiang Fossils