Gangtoucunia Guanshan Biota Problematic Taxon

Description: This specimen comes from what has been termed the “Guanshan Fauna”, found in the Wulongqing Formation. The Guanshan Fauna shares many genera with the slightly older Chengjiang Biota, but differs at the species level. This specimen is known only from the Guanshan Biota, and is known as Gangtoiucunia. While the derivation of the genus name is obvious, precious little else is known. It is a tube-like form, but some 14 years after its discovery the exact affinities of this problematic organism remain unknown. This is the first example of this strange taxon I have been able to offer.