Zhu, Mao-Yan; Van Iten, Heyo; Cox Robt, S.; Zhao, Yuan-Long; Erdtmann Bernd, D. 2000. Occurrence of Byronia Matthew and Sphenothallus Hall in the Lower Cambrian of China. Palaeontologische Zeitschrift 74(3): 227-238

176658

Zhu, M.; Van Iten, H. ;.; Cox Robt, S.; Zhao, Y.; Bernd, D.

2000

74(3): 227-238

Publication

World Polychaeta Database (WPolyDb)

Rare phosphatic tubular fossils from the Lower-Middle Cambrian Kaili Formation of Guizhou Province, southern China were originally identified as non-calcified algae or 'worms' (Scoleciellus LIU). Re-examination of these fossils indicates that specimens identified as non-calcified algae are Sphenothallus taijiangensis n. sp., while specimens identified as Scoleciellus belong to Byronia natus (LIU). Sphenothallus taijiangensis and Byronia natus from Lower Cambrian strata in the Kaili Formation are the oldest known representatives of their genera. In addition, B. natus (LIU) is the only known species of Byronia with the exception of B. annulata MATTHEW (Middle Cambrian, British Columbia). Cambrovitus MAO et al., a tubular fossil from Middle Cambrian strata in the Kaili Formation, originally was classified as a hyolithid. However, the discovery of a nearly complete specimen possessing an apical attachment disk shows that Cambrovitus, like Byronia and Sphenothallus, probably was a thecate cnidarian polyp.

China Sea

Paleontology, Fossils, Paleobiology

Cnidaria
Polychaeta

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