Acanthomeridion serratum, Rare Arthropod from Chengjiang Biota

Acanthomeridion serratum

Phylum Arthropoda, Family Acanthomeridiidae (Hou & Bergström, 1997), Genus Acanthomeridion erected (Hou, Chen & Lu, 1989)

Geological Time: Lower Cambrian (~525 million years ago)

Size: 16 mm long on a 45 mm by 38 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Chengjiang Maotianshan Shales, Quiongzhusi Section, Yu'anshan Member, Heilinpu Formation, Maotianshan Hill, Yuxi, Chengjiang County, Yunnan Province, China

These unusual arthropods are known for their almost straight-sided body. They have free cheeks like the trilobites, but are quite different in overall appearance. The taxon is unknown outside the Chengjiang Biota, and is a monotypic one with this being the only member of its family. This is an exceptionally rare specimen from the Cambrian Explosion.

Also see: Chengjiang Biota, Chengjiang Fossils, Cambrian Explosion

click fossil images to enlarge
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