Yunnanozoon

Fossil of Yunnanozoon lividum

Yunnanozoon lividum is an extinct species of marine chordate from the Yunnan province, China. It resided in the Cambrian period. about 520 mya ago.

Morphology

The Yunnanozoon resembles a craniate and has a fusiform body and pharyngeal teeth. Towards the front are 7 filamentous arches, which were covered by sacs. Towards the back of the body is a gut. The front half contains rods.

Gallery

Fossil and anatomy of Y. lividum

Illustration

References

1. "Reinterpretation of Yunnanozoon as the earliest known chordate". Nature.