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]
| Scathascolex Temporal range:
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| Scathascolex minor. Image from Smith (2015)[1][2] | |
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| 3D Reconstruction of anterior end. | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Class: | †Palaeoscolecida |
| Family: | †Palaeoscolecidae |
| Genus: | †Scathascolex |
| Species: | †S. minor
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| Binomial name | |
| †Scathascolex minor Smith, 2015[1]
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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
edit- ^ a b c Smith, Martin R. (2015). "A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale". Palaeontology. 58 (6): 973–979. Bibcode:2015Palgy..58..973S. doi:10.1111/pala.12210. S2CID 86747103.
- ^ Smith, Martin R. (2015). "Data from: A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale. Dryad Digital Repository". Dryad. doi:10.5061/dryad.cf493. hdl:10255/dryad.92916.
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