| Spartobranchus tenuis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Genus: | Spartobranchus |
| Species: | S. tenuis |
| Binomial name | |
| Spartobranchus tenuis | |
Spartobranchus tenuis is an extinct species of acorn worms (Enteropneusta). It existed in the Middle Cambrian (505 million years ago). Petrified mark animals were found in British Columbia, Canada in the Burgess Shale formation. It is similar to the modern representatives of the family Harrimaniidae, distinguished by branching fiber tubes. It is a believed predecessor of Pterobranchia, but this species is intermediate between these two classes. Studies show that these tubes were lost in the line leading to modern acorn worm, but remained in the extinct graptolites. However recently Antarctic torquatorids have been found that also make tubes.[1]
Description
Detailed analysis shows that Spartobranchus tenuis had a flexible body consisting of short proboscis, collar and narrow elongated stem that ended in a bulbous structure that may have served as an anchor. The most complete specimens reached 10 cm (3.9 in) long, with proboscis of about half a centimeter in length.
References
- ↑ Halanych, Kenneth M.; Cannon, Johanna T.; Mahon, Andrew R.; Swalla, Billie J.; Smith, Craig R. (7 November 2013). "Modern Antarctic acorn worms form tubes". Nature Communications. 4 (1): 2738. Bibcode:2013NatCo...4.2738H. doi:10.1038/ncomms3738. PMID 24201563. S2CID 205320979.
Further reading
- Caron, Jean-Bernard; Morris, Simon Conway; Cameron, Christopher B. (March 2013). "Tubicolous enteropneusts from the Cambrian period". Nature. 495 (7442): 503–506. Bibcode:2013Natur.495..503C. doi:10.1038/nature12017. PMID 23485974. S2CID 205233252.