Scathascolex

Scathascolex is a genus of palaeoscolecid worm known from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale. It is the only taxon in that famous locality to exhibit the phosphatic plates that characterize palaeoscolecids, and has certain unusual characteristics – it does not have the multiple sizes of tessellating plates more typical of palaeoscolecids, and has more tail hooks than is the norm. Nevertheless, it is clearly a close relative of Palaeoscolex and Wronascolex.[1]

Pharyngeal region of Scathascolex minor, showing teeth and spines. From Smith (2015).

Scathascolex Temporal range: Burgess Shale PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scathascolex minor. Image from Smith (2015)[1][2]
3D Reconstruction of anterior end.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	†Palaeoscolecida
Family:	†Palaeoscolecidae
Genus:	†Scathascolex
Species:	†S. minor
Binomial name
†Scathascolex minor Smith, 2015[1]

As with the co-occurring Burgess Shale worm Ancalagon, its name is derived from one of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional dragons, in this case Scatha.

References

1. Smith, Martin R. (2015). "A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale". Palaeontology. 58: 973–979. doi:10.1111/pala.12210.
2. Smith, Martin R. (2015). "Data from: A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale. Dryad Digital Repository". doi:10.5061/dryad.cf493. hdl:10255/dryad.92916. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)