Haikouella lanceolata Chen, Huang & Li, 1999
Systematics: Chordata Vertebrata?
Size: 3 cm long
Type Horizon and Locality: Lower Cambrian, Maotianshan Shale, Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan, China
Type Specimen : EC00213a,b, complete specimen
Known from some 305 specimens, this small fish-like animal from the famous Chengjiang fauna was probably an early vertebrate. The fossils show the presence of a notochord, neural cord with a brain, a heart, a stomach, and gills among other things. It is very similar to the contemporary Yunnanozoon, possibly the same animal.
June 25, 2022
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