Dicerocaris
opisthoeces
Phylum:
Arthropoda, Subphylum Crustacea, Class Malacostraca, Subclass Phyllocarida
Geological
Time: Early/Middle Cambrian (~520 million years ago)
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Fossils is 30 mm long overall by 14 mm across on a 60
mm by 80 mm matrix.
Fossil
Site: Wheeler Shale, Millard County, Utah
Code:
ND022
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 Description:
This unusual Phyllocarid arthropod is known as Dicerocaris.
Phyllocarids are one of the lesser known branchiopod crustaceans
from the Cambrian where they are among the earliest animals
with a hard shell. They have a fairly large carapace, which
protects the anterior part of the body. This structure hinged
along the dorsal edge like a bivalve. So far only the carapace
has been found. Note the process extending past the shells;
this is the source of the name meaning two spined. Like the
fossils of the Burgess Shale this one has the exoskeleton preserved
as a shiny film.
Reference: University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions,
Paper 106, December 16, 1981.
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