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Coeloscleritophoran

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(Redirected from Coeloscleritophora) Polyphyletic group of organisms

CoeloscleritophoraTemporal range: Cambrian-Ordovician
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: incertae sedis
Class: †Coeloscleritophora
Groups included

The Coelosclerithophorans are a polyphyletic group of organisms bearing hollow sclerites made of aragonite, and with a supposedly distinctive microstructure.

Their skeletons may be homologous to those of the molluscs, and Halkieria looks very much like a polyplacophoran. The shells of this group and the molluscs appear to have originated in the same fashion. However, there are several reasons to doubt this relationship, many of which may not pass muster.

There are two groups within the coeloscleritophorans: the Sachitids, to which Halkieria and Wiwaxia belong, and the Chancellorids. The Ediacaran fossil Ausia has been touted as an ancestral 'intermediate' between both of these groups.

These are common constituents of Lower Cambrian small shelly fossil assemblages.

References

  1. Porter, S. M. (2008). "Skeletal Microstructure Indicates Chancelloriids and Halkieriids Are Closely Related". Palaeontology. 51 (4): 865–879. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00792.x.
  2. ^ Bengtson, S. (1992). "The cap-shaped Cambrian fossil Maikhanella and the relationship between coeloscleritophorans and molluscs". Lethaia. 25 (4): 401–420. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1992.tb01644.x.
  3. Yochelson, E. L. (1993). "Molluscan affinity of coeloscleritophorans". Lethaia. 26 (1): 47–48. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1993.tb01509.x.
  4. Bengtson, S. (1993). "Molluscan affinity of coeloscleritophorans — reply". Lethaia. 26 (1): 48. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1993.tb01510.x.
  5. Dzik, Jerzy (August 2009). "Possible Ediacaran Ancestry of the Halkieriids" (PDF). In Smith, Martin R.; O'Brien, Lorna J.; Caron, Jean-Bernard (eds.). Abstract Volume. International Conference on the Cambrian Explosion (Walcott 2009). Toronto, Ontario, Canada: The Burgess Shale Consortium (published 31 July 2009). ISBN 978-0-9812885-1-2.
Taxon identifiers
Coeloscleritophora
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