Sclerite fusion in the problematic early Cambrian spine-like fossil Stoibostrombus form South Australia

Christian B. Skovsted, Glenn A. Brock, Timothy P. Topper

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    Abstract

    New collections of the problematic spine like fossil Stoibostrombus crenulatus Conway Morris & Bengtson from the Mt. Scott Range and Wilkawillina Gorge in the central Flinders Ranges, South Australia contain fused sclerite composites. In each fused specimen the spines are merged along their lateral margins and the orientation of the spines is almost identical. These new specimens confirm that Stoibostrombus spines were dermal sclerites, arranged in lateral pairs or transverse rows. The nature of the animal secreting the spines remains elusive, but available evidence suggest that it was an ecdysozoan animal, possibly a palaeoscolecid worm.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)651-658
    Number of pages8
    JournalBulletin of Geosciences
    Volume86
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

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