Kootenichela

Kootenichela Temporal range: Middle Cambrian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Reconstruction of K. deppi as megacheiran, which is questioned in subsequent studies
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	incertae sedis
Family:	† Kootenichelidae
Genus:	† Kootenichela Legg, 2013
Species:	†K. deppi
Binomial name
†Kootenichela deppi Legg, 2013

Kootenichela deppi is an extinct arthropod described from the Middle Cambrian of the Kootenay National Park, Canada. It is originally considered to be a member of "great appendage arthropods", ^[1] although subsequent studies questioned its affinity. ^{[2] [3]} Kootenichela appears to be the sister taxon of Worthenella , from cladistic analysis. ^[1]

Etymology

The species name deppi comes from the actor Johnny Depp, after his role as Edward Scissorhands in the film of the same name. David Legg, the discoverer of Kootenichela, said:

"When I first saw the pair of isolated claws in the fossil records of this species I could not help but think of Edward Scissorhands. Even the genus name, Kootenichela, includes the reference to this film as 'chela' is Latin for claws or scissors. In truth, I am also a bit of a Depp fan and so what better way to honour the man than to immortalise him as an ancient creature that once roamed the sea?" ^[4]

Morphology and affinities

Kootenichela appears to be a primitive arthropod. It has an elongated body composed of at least 29 segments of similar shape and appearance. On the head, there are large eyes supported by stalks and an appendage resembling an antenna. ^[1] The appendages bound to the trunk are poorly sclerotised. It was approximately 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long. ^[4] Most prominent are the claw-like, spinose cephalic appendages, which seem to suggest affinities with Megacheira, the "great appendage" arthropods. ^[1] However, study in 2015 researchers could confirm neither the head configuration nor the megacheiran interpretation of the anatomy. ^[2] Kootenichela has been subsequently suggested to be a chimera of various arthropods such as a bivalved arthropod. ^[3]

Classification

The arthropod Pseudoiulia has been suggested to be closely related to Kootenichela and Worthenella , the three being classified into the family Kootenichelidae. ^{[5] [6]}

See also

• List of organisms named after famous people (born 1950–present)

References

1. David Legg (2013). "Multi-segmented arthropods from the Middle Cambrian of British Columbia (Canada)". Journal of Paleontology . 87 (3): 493–501. Bibcode:2013JPal...87..493L. doi:10.1666/12-112.1. S2CID   86725173.
2. Aria, Cédric; Caron, Jean-Bernard (2015-06-03). "Cephalic and Limb Anatomy of a New Isoxyid from the Burgess Shale and the Role of "Stem Bivalved Arthropods" in the Disparity of the Frontalmost Appendage". PLOS ONE. 10 (6): e0124979. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1024979A. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124979 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   4454494 . PMID   26038846.
3. Aria, Cédric; Zhao, Fangchen; Zeng, Han; Guo, Jin; Zhu, Maoyan (December 2020). "Fossils from South China redefine the ancestral euarthropod body plan". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 20 (1): 4. Bibcode:2020BMCEE..20....4A. doi: 10.1186/s12862-019-1560-7 . ISSN   1471-2148. PMC   6950928 . PMID   31914921.
4. Colin Smith (16 May 2013). "Actor Johnny Depp immortalised in ancient fossil find". Imperial College London . Retrieved 16 May 2013.
5. Legg, David (May 2013). "Multi-Segmented Arthropods from the Middle Cambrian of British Columbia (Canada)" . Journal of Paleontology. 87 (3): 493–501. Bibcode:2013JPal...87..493L. doi:10.1666/12-112.1. ISSN   0022-3360. S2CID   86725173.
6. Aria, Cédric; Zhao, Fangchen; Zeng, Han; Guo, Jin; Zhu, Maoyan (2020-01-08). "Fossils from South China redefine the ancestral euarthropod body plan". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 20 (1): 4. Bibcode:2020BMCEE..20....4A. doi: 10.1186/s12862-019-1560-7 . ISSN   1471-2148. PMC   6950928 . PMID   31914921.