Microschedia

Microschedia Temporal range: Lower Cambrian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Microschedia (Image source: Geyer 1994)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
unrecognised rank: clade fix:	<span class="unrecognised rank: clade fix" style="white-space:nowrap;">incertae sedis
Genus:	†Microschedia
Binomial name
Microschedia amphitrite Geyer, 1994

Microschedia is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian 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. ^ ^{a b c d} Geyer, G. (1994). "An Enigmatic Bilateral Fossil from the Lower Cambrian of Morocco". Journal of Paleontology 68 (4): 710–716. JSTOR 1306138.  edit
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: 145. doi:10.1016/j.gr.2009.02.002.  edit