Scathascolex
| Scathascolex minor Temporal range: Burgess Shale | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scathascolex minor. Image from Smith (2015)[1][2] | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Class: | †Palaeoscolecida |
| Family: | †Palaeoscolecidae |
| Genus: | †Scathascolex |
| Species: | †S. minor |
| Binomial name | |
| Scathascolex minor Smith, 2015[1] | |
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).
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 2 3 Smith, Martin R. (2015). "A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale". Palaeontology: n/a. doi:10.1111/pala.12210.
- ↑ 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.
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