Microschedia is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian Amouslek Formation deposits in Morocco.[1]
| Microschedia Temporal range:
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|---|---|
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| Microschedia (Image source: Geyer 1994) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Clade: | Bilateria |
| (unranked): | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Microschedia Geyer, 1994 |
| Species: | †M. amphitrite
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| Binomial name | |
| †Microschedia amphitrite Geyer, 1994
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Morphology
editThe fossils are approximately discoid, and covered with a net-like pattern. Fine hair-like projections extend beyond the edge of this almost-flat, firm (but non-mineralized) "shell", which bears no trace of muscle scars.[1]
Affinity
editAlthough there are problems with both brachiopod and cnidarian interpretations, no other animal group provides a good match for these fossils.[1] An affinity with the stem-group brachiopod Mickwitzia is currently considered to be the most likely interpretation for this fossil.[2]
The enigmatic Cambrian and Ordovician animals Heliomedusa, Marocella and Conchopeltis warrant comparison, although again large differences exist between these taxa.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Geyer, G. (1994). "An Enigmatic Bilateral Fossil from the Lower Cambrian of Morocco". Journal of Paleontology. 68 (4): 710–716. doi:10.1017/s0022336000026147. JSTOR 1306138.
- ^ Skovsted, C. B.; Brock, G. A.; Holmer, L. E.; Paterson, J. R. (2009). "First report of the early Cambrian stem group brachiopod Mickwitzia from East Gondwana". Gondwana Research. 16 (1): 145–150. Bibcode:2009GondR..16..145S. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2009.02.002.