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Mackenziidae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mackenziidae
Temporal range: Cambrian Stage 3 to Wuliuan, 518–508 Ma
Fossil of Mackenzia costalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Subkingdom: Eumetazoa
Family: Mackenziidae
Conway Morris, 1993
Genera

Mackenziidae is a family of enigmatic animals known from the Cambrian period. Their affinity has been disputed, with the type genus Mackenzia being first described as a holothurian echinoderm,[1] before being moved to a relative of sea anemones,[2] and finally in 2022 moved to Eumetazoa incertae sedis.[3] The family may be related to various members of the Ediacaran biota, due to a similar arrangement of tubular modules.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Durham, J. Wyatt (1974). "Systematic Position of Eldonia ludwigi Walcott". Journal of Paleontology. 48 (4): 751–755. ISSN 0022-3360.
  2. ^ Conway Morris, S. (1993). "Ediacaran-like fossils in Cambrian Burgess Shale–type faunas of North America". Palaeontology. 36 (31–0239): 593–635.
  3. ^ a b Zhao, Yang; Vinther, Jakob; Li, Yu‐Jing; Wei, Fan; Hou, Xian‐Guang; Cong, Pei‐Yun (January 2022). "An early Cambrian mackenziid reveals links to modular Ediacaran macro‐organisms". Papers in Palaeontology. 8 (1). doi:10.1002/spp2.1412.