Ventral Morphology and Ecological Implications of Cindarella eucalla (Artiopoda, Xandarellida) from Chengjiang Biota, China

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.100729.1
• Publication Date: 2024-10-07T16:25:15Z
• Authors: Maoyin Zhang; Yu Liu; Huijuan Mai; Michel Schmidt; Xianguang Hou
• Keywords: Morphology; Biota

Artiopoda, an early arthropod group, displays post-antennal appendages resembling trilobite limbs, but relationships with other ealy arthropods remain enigmatic. Limited studies and morphological details hinder the understanding of internal within Artiopoda. Recently, exceptionally well preserved fossils from Chengjiang Biota were studied using X-ray computed tomography, revealing detailed morphologies. In this study, Cindarella eucalla , a xandarellid Biota, was re-investigated tomography fluorescent microscopy to reconstruct its morphology understand phylogeny ecology. This study successfully reconstructed three-dimensional model features, such as spindle-shaped trunk tergites anterior six covered by head shield axial spines extending last four, natant hypostome, four cephalic appendage pairs, dorsoventral mismatch existed between limb pairs. research suggests that could escape in very short time when it encounters enemy, probably lived muddy environments ample light. Phylogenetic analysis indicates Xandarellids may have close relationship concililiterga or clade composed Nektaspida + (Conciliterga ( Phytophilaspis pergamena Trilobita)).