Early Cambrian palaeoscolecid cuticles from Shaanxi, China

Abstract

Phosphatized, three-dimensional cuticle fragments of the palaeoscolecids Houscolex lepidotus new genus and new species, Houscolex species indeterminate, and an unidentified form are described from the Lower Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation of Shaanxi, China. These segmented worms, characterized by regularly arranged simple plates and platelets, small circular pores and fine pits, and irregularly distributed nipplelike protuberances, are unique among known palaeoscolecids. The occurrence of such cuticles as seemingly persistent elements of phosphatized faunas suggests that wormlike organisms achieved a fairly high diversity and widespread geographic distribution during the Early and Middle Cambrian.