Corynetis
brevis
Phylum Priapulida
Facivermis
yunnanicus
Problematica, Phylum Uncertain
Geological
Time: Early Cambrian (~525 million years ago)
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Corynetis: 10 mm -18 mm long; Facivermis: 10 mm long on
a 55 mm by 45 mm matrix
Fossil
Site: Chengjiang Maotianshan Shales - Quiongzhusi Section, Yuanshan
Member, Heilinpu Formation, Ercaicun Village, Haikou, Anning, Kunming,
Yunnan Province, China
Fossil Code:
CJF1165
Price: $425.00
- sold
|  Description:
This is an example of the death assemblage priapulid worm Corynetis
brevis in association with an EXCEEDINGLY RARE Facivermis. 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. 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.
The
species derives its name from its small size; note that largest
preserves the everted proboscis and “ruff”  of
encircling spines. What makes this a most unusual peiece is the
associtation of Corynetis with the enigmatic and RARE Facivermis
yunnanicus. This tetacled wormlike taxon has been thought to be
an annelid, a polychaete, and a lobopodian. Yet another researcher
has considered it a member of the Pentastomatida. It is quite rare;
this is the FIRST example I have been able to secure in 5 years.
It is presumed to have been a burrower; I’ve included a restoration
(picture below) of what it is thought to have looked like in situ.
The fine examples preserved here in exquisite detail makes this
a highly unique specimen of life from 525 million years ago.
Also
see: Chengjiang
Biota Fauna List Chengjiang
Fossils
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