A long-headed Cambrian soft-bodied vertebrate from the American Great Basin region
Overview
Paper Summary
A new soft-bodied vertebrate fossil, *Nuucichthys rhynchocephalus*, was discovered in the Cambrian Marjum Formation of Utah. This fish-like creature lacked fins and had an elongated head. This discovery suggests limited swimming abilities and adds to the growing evidence for the wide distribution of early, finless vertebrates in Laurentia during the Cambrian.
Explain Like I'm Five
A new fish fossil from Utah shows that some of the earliest fish-like creatures didn't have fins. It also shows that these early fish-like creatures lived near Utah.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Limitations
Rating Explanation
This study presents a valuable discovery of a new, finless stem-vertebrate fossil from the Cambrian period, providing valuable insights into early vertebrate evolution and the biodiversity of the Cambrian Great Basin. The study uses robust phylogenetic analysis to place the new species within the vertebrate stem lineage. While limited by the availability of only a single specimen and the inherent limitations of fossil preservation, the study acknowledges these constraints and presents its interpretations cautiously. The arguments for the absence of fins and the presence of specific anatomical features, despite the possibility of taphonomic bias, are well-reasoned and based on comparisons with decay patterns observed in modern taxa. The paper significantly expands our understanding of early vertebrates but could be strengthened by further discoveries.
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