A NEW ARTHROPOD IN CHAIN-LIKE ASSOCIATIONS FROM THE CHENGJIANG LAGERSTÄTTE (LOWER CAMBRIAN), YUNNAN, CHINA

Authors: XIAN-GUANG, HOU; SIVETER, DEREK J.; ALDRIDGE, RICHARD J.; SIVETER, DAVID J.

Source: Palaeontology, Volume 52, Number 4, July 2009 , pp. 951-961(11)

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Abstract:

A new arthropod, Synophalos xynos gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cambrian of the Chengjiang Lagerstätte, Yunnan, China. It is provisionally assigned to Crustacea, Waptiida and Waptiidae. Just one example of an isolated individual of S. xynos is known. Typically, individuals of the new species occur together in similar, robustly integrated chain-like associations. Such a strongly linked configuration is apparently unique for any arthropod, fossil or living. The chain-like association is suggested to represent an example of collective behaviour, possibly associated with reproduction, or more likely migration.

Keywords: Arthropoda; Cambrian; Chengjiang Lagerstätte; collective behaviour

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2009.00889.x

Affiliations: 1: Yunnan Key Laboratory for Palaeobiology, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, Yunnan Province, China;, Email: xghou@ynu.edu.cn

Publication date: 2009-07-01