Fossil worms from the Devonian of North America (Sphenothallus) and Burma (“Vermes”) previously identified as phyllocarid arthropods

Abstract

Fragmentary fossils from Late Devonian rocks, previously identified as phyllocarid arthropods, are referable to “Vermes.” Specimens identified as Dithyrocaris (=Mesothyra) sp. from the Chagrin Shale in northeastern Ohio are assigned to Sphenothallus cf. S. carbonarius (M'Coy). Thus, there are no records of rhinocaridid arthropods from the Chagrin. Fossils identified as “cercopods” of the echinocaridid, Echinocaris asiaticus Reed, from the Wetwin shales in Burma, are not arthropod remains, but are tubes produced by a gregarious worm. Echinocaris asiaticus is now represented only by a single partial carapace.