Unusual Isoxys Chengjiang Biota Arthropod

This unusual arthropod is known as Isoxys paradoxus. The species is known mostly from the distinctively–pointed bivalved carapace. 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 swimming appendages of Isoxysand most other soft parts only protruded slightly from their protective shell. This taxon is known only from the Chengjiang Biota, but other members of the genus are found in deposits in Europe, Australia, and North America. Note the interesting pattern to the shell.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota Fauna List Chengjiang Fossils