Exceptionally-Preserved Soft Bodied Trilobite Misszhouia
from the Chengjiang Maotianshan Shales

Description: The exact taxonomic status of this arthropod is in dispute. It has been termed a “trilobitomorph” by some researchers, showing their beliefs in its close affinity with the trilobites. While the Trilobitoorpha was listed in the Treatise, most now consider that this subphylum is invalid, a catchall much like some of the dustbin terms used by Walcott for a number of the Burgess Shale fauna. Whittington termed it a “soft-bodied trilobite”’ but that belief is not supported at present. Their similarity in appearance to the Agnoistida is purely a result of convergence. Two large groupings of the Paleozoic arthropods are currently in favor: the Crustaceomorpha (which includes Waptia) and the Arachnomorpha, dominated by the trilobites. The Naraoiidae are arachnomorphs and include Misszhouia and Naraoia. Misszhouia longicaudata was initially placed within Naraoia, but was given its own genus based upon differences between it and Naraoia compacta of the Burgess Shale. The species is one found in several locations within Yunnan Province. This one is a quite large example which is preserved in ventral fashion showing the anterior outline of the cuticle, the central gut line, and many of the biramous limbs which served both a locomotory and respiratory function. Few examples as fine as this are ever available, making this an exceptional specimen for any collection, whether public or private. The repaired crack does little to detract from the unique nature of this fine specimen.