Duplapex Temporal range: | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Life restoration of Duplapex, based on the original description | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Order: | † Hymenocarina |
Family: | † Tuzoiidae |
Genus: | † Duplapex Ma et al. 2021 |
Species: | †D. anima |
Binomial name | |
†Duplapex anima Ma et al. 2021 | |
Duplapex is an extinct genus of bivalved arthropod known from the Cambrian Stage 3 aged Qingjiang biota of Hubei, China, with a single species. D. anima. It is thought to be a close relative of Tuzoia , but unlike it, the reticulated (net patterned) bivalved carapace was interpreted to have opened at a wide angle. The carapace had a pair of spines projecting posteriorly. [1] In its original description, it was suggested to have eyes on annulated stalks, but later research suggested that these may have been preservational artifacts instead. [2]
The general morphology of Duplapex differs from Tuzoia by its layered valves, unique ventral notches and doublure spines. These justified the erection of a new genus. [3]
In Duplapex, the potential eye peduncles do not bear eyes [28], making their affinity ambiguous. Instead, these structures are most probably compression artefacts on the carapace margins