Microschedia

Microschedia Temporal range: Lower Cambrian PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Microschedia (Image source: Geyer 1994)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Clade:	Bilateria
Phylum:	incertae sedis
Genus:	† Microschedia Geyer, 1994
Species:	†M. amphitrite
Binomial name
†Microschedia amphitrite Geyer, 1994

Microschedia is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian Amouslek Formation deposits in Morocco. ^[1]

Morphology

The 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

Although 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

1. Geyer, G. (1994). "An Enigmatic Bilateral Fossil from the Lower Cambrian of Morocco". Journal of Paleontology. 68 (4): 710–716. Bibcode:1994JPal...68..710G. doi:10.1017/s0022336000026147. JSTOR   1306138.
2. 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.