Scathascolex

<i>Scathascolex</i>

Scathascolex

Extinct genus of worms

Scathascolex is a genus of palaeoscolecid worm known from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale. It is the only taxon in that famous locality to exhibit the phosphatic plates that characterize palaeoscolecids, and has certain unusual characteristics – it does not have the multiple sizes of tessellating plates more typical of palaeoscolecids, and has more tail hooks than is the norm. Nevertheless, it is clearly a close relative of Palaeoscolex and Wronascolex.[1]

Pharyngeal region of Scathascolex minor, showing teeth and spines. From Smith (2015).

Quick Facts Scientific classification, Binomial name ...

As with the co-occurring Burgess Shale worm Ancalagon, its name is derived from one of J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional dragons, in this case Scatha.

References

  1. [1]
    Smith, Martin R. (2015). "A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale". Palaeontology. 58 (6): 973–979. Bibcode:2015Palgy..58..973S. doi:10.1111/pala.12210. S2CID 86747103.
  2. [2]
    Smith, Martin R. (2015). "Data from: A palaeoscolecid worm from the Burgess Shale. Dryad Digital Repository". Dryad. doi:10.5061/dryad.cf493. hdl:10255/dryad.92916. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)


Stub icon

This article related to a Cambrian animal is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Scathascolex, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.