Cambropycnogon klausmuelleri is a presumed pycnogonid larva from the Upper Cambrian Orsten, having been referred to before description as "Larva D".[1]
| Cambropycnogon Temporal range: Cambrian,
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| Reconstruction | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Pycnogonida |
| Genus: | †Cambropycnogon Waloszek and Dunlop, 2002 |
| Species: | †C. klausmuelleri
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| Binomial name | |
| †Cambropycnogon klausmuelleri Waloszek and Dunlop, 2002
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Description
editCambropycnogon is an early-stage pycnogonid larva (although this classification has been disputed[2]) around 270 micrometers long, with three pairs of post-cheliceral appendages as well as the chelicerae that mark it as a possible pycnogonid. It also has two large caudal growths from its posterior end, the purpose of which is unknown. Cambropycnogon is covered in small spines roughly 1 micrometer long, as well as larger thorns behind its gnathobases. Its chelicerae are short and stout, resembling pincers, and the larva has a relatively large head shield. Cambropycnogon's morphology matches that of early sea spider larvae such as the protonymph and semaphoront, with it being markedly distinct from all other Orsten fossils.[1]
Etymology
editCambropycnogon derives from its assumed position within Pycnogonida, as well as the fact that it dates from the Cambrian. Its specific name, klausmuelleri honours the discoverer of the Orsten, Dr. Klaus Müller.[1]
Distribution
editCambropycnogon is known from six specimens, all found in Kinnekulle.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Waloszek, Dieter; Dunlop, Jason A. (May 2002). "A Larval Sea Spider (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) from the Upper Cambrian 'orsten' of Sweden, and the Phylogenetic Position of Pycnogonids". Palaeontology. 45 (3): 421–446. Bibcode:2002Palgy..45..421W. doi:10.1111/1475-4983.00244.
- ^ Ballesteros, Jesús A; Setton, Emily V W; Santibáñez-López, Carlos E; Arango, Claudia P; Brenneis, Georg; Brix, Saskia; Corbett, Kevin F; Cano-Sánchez, Esperanza; Dandouch, Merai; Dilly, Geoffrey F; Eleaume, Marc P; Gainett, Guilherme; Gallut, Cyril; McAtee, Sean; McIntyre, Lauren (2021-01-23). Crandall, Keith (ed.). "Phylogenomic Resolution of Sea Spider Diversification through Integration of Multiple Data Classes". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 38 (2): 686–701. doi:10.1093/molbev/msaa228. ISSN 1537-1719. PMC 7826184. PMID 32915961.