Rare Chengjiang Biota Arthropod Acanthomeridion

This unusual arthropod is known as Acanthomeridion serratum. The taxon is a rare one, originally known from only eight examples. 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. These unusual arthropods are known for their almost straight-sided body. They have free cheeks like the trilobites, but are quite different in overall appearance. The taxon is unknown outside the Chengjiang Biota, and is a monotypic one with this being the only member of its family. This is an exceptionally rare specimen, one that is sure to become a cornerstone of any collection of material from the Cambrian Explosion.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota List Chengjiang Fossils