Rare Cambrian Explosion Lobopodian Fossil from Utah

Description: Coming from the Cambrian Wheeler Formation deposits of Millard County Utah this is a specimen rarely seen. It is an unusual lobopodian known as Ayshaeia prolata, and comes from the Middle Cambrian Wheeler Amphitheater deposits of Utah. Specimens such as this are exceedingly difficult to photograph as they are only a thin film. This one is further obscured dues to the fact that some of the fluids leaked on during preservation. Nevertheless , a number of the limbs can be seen in this example which has been preserved in dorsal aspect with the legs splayed out to the sides. A rarely-seen fossil, it was named from a single partial example discovered in 1985, and has as its closest relative Ayshaeia pedunculata from the Burgess Shale of British Columbia in Canada. That one possesses some 9-10 limbs when complete, and due to its association with sponges it has been presumed to have used them as a food source. The specimen can be seen in the lower left and lower right of the respective halves. I have included some photos taken using natural light as well as a life representation based upon the Burgess taxon.

Reference: Journal of Paleontology, Vol 59, No 1, pp 226-235, Jan 1985.