Tuzoia guntheri Decorated Cambrian Explosion Phyllocarid

Description: This unusual fossil is an example of a rarely-seen Phyllocarid known as Tuzoia guntheri. It is believed to be a bivalved crustacean, most well known for its distinctively-reticulated, spiny carapace. The genus is also known from the Burgess Shale and from Chenjiang Biota deposits of China. Those are largely distinguished by the presence and placement of spines on the carapace. Few examples of the genus are known from more than the carapace, as seen here. Note the intricate polygonal decoration to the carapace as well as the spines. The species was named after Lloyd Gunther, a member of a family whose members have made extensive contributions to the study of Cambrian life of Utah. Little in terms of soft tissue is known which hampers its exact placement to the tree of life.