Scolecofurca

Scolecofurca is a genus of stem-group priapulid worm[2] dating from the Middle Cambrian period approximately 505 million years ago.

Scolecofurca
Temporal range: 505 Ma
↓
Burgess Shale
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Stem group: Priapulida (?)
Genus: †Scolecofurca
Conway Morris, 1977[1]
Species:
†S. rara
Binomial name
†Scolecofurca rara
Conway Morris, 1977

It is known from a single fossil specimen from the Raymond Quarry in the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies.[1]

The only known species in the species Scolecofurca rara was first described by Conway Morris in 1977 as a possible primitive priapulid, but later shown to belong to the priapulid stem group.[3] Its name is derived from the Greek skolex (worm) and the Latin furca (fork) and rara (infrequent).[1]

Morphology

Scolecofura's single fossil specimen is 6.5 centimeters in length. The fossil displays a proboscis of constant width, with two 3 millimeter tentacles at the anterior. The tentacles most likely would have functioned for sensory purposes rather than for feeding. The trunk of the organism is lined with annulations separated by 7 millimeters. The specimen is incomplete, and the posterior features of the animal are currently unknown.[1]

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References
  1. Conway Morris, S (1977). "Fossil priapulid worms". Special Papers in Palaeontology. 20.
  2. Harvey, T. H.; Dong, X.; Donoghue, P. C. (2010). "Are palaeoscolecids ancestral ecdysozoans?". Evolution & Development. 12 (2): 177–200. doi:10.1111/j.1525-142X.2010.00403.x. PMID 20433458.
  3. "Scolecofurca rara". Burgess Shale Fossil Gallery. Virtual Museum of Canada. 2011.
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