Cambroclave
Extinct class of enigmatic organisms
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Cambroclaves are a group of enigmatic, phosphatized, hollow spine-shaped sclerites, known from their geographically widespread Early to Middle Cambrian fossils,[1] which occur exclusively in shallow waters within the photic zone. They were probably originally aragonitic.[2] They are lobate with long spines protruding centrally; these spines are in some cases (e.g. Zhijinites) pillar-like, constituted of a bundle rods (originally aragonite?) with an Ionic-like appearance.[3] Some taxa have been compared to spicules of ecdysozoan worms,[4] whereas others likely belong to Protomelission-like organisms, which have been argued to be affiliated with the dasycladalean green algae and the bryozoans.[5]
Conway Morris and Chen, 1991
| Cambroclave Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | incertae sedis |
| Class: | †Cambroclavida Conway Morris and Chen, 1991 |
Families
- Family Zhijinitidae (Qian, 1978)