| Zhenghecaris | |
|---|---|
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| Fossil specimens ofZhenghecaris | |
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| Head sclerite ofZhenghecaris | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Zhenghecaris Vannier et al., 2006 |
| Species: | †Z. shankouensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Zhenghecaris shankouensis Vannier et al., 2006 | |
Zhenghecaris is an extinct genus of enigmaticarthropods from the Lower CambrianMaotianshan Shales, tentatively classified as ahurdiid (peytoiid)radiodont,[1][2][3] and originally as athylacocephalan.[4] The genus contains asingle species,Zhenghecaris shankouensis, known from several specimens mostly preserving the carapace and eyes. These specimens measure roughly 15 cm (5.9 in) in width, making it one of the largest thylacocephalans, behindOstenocaris,Dollocaris andAiniktozoon, as well as the earliest since all other thylacocephalans are Ordovician or younger. Better preserved fossils show that it was more similar to the domed sclerites of radiodonts such asCambroraster, with two lateral spine processes on either side of the carapace, the eyes apparently fitting into the posterior notches.[3] Additional isolated sclerites from the Chengjiang have been described as the lateral sclerites ofZhenghecaris due to their broad similarity to the P-elements of hurdiids (peytoiids), and because of their similar construction, ornamentation, and possession of two-pronged lateral spine processes.[1] It has also been classified conservatively as Arthropodaincertae sedis, as the fragmentary remains cannot confidently be classified further due to the lack of associated appendages of trunk elements.[5]
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