Cotyledion Temporal range:
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Stem group: | Entoprocta |
Genus: | †Cotyledion Luo et Hu, 1999 |
Species: | †C. tylodes
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Binomial name | |
†Cotyledion tylodes Luo et Hu, 1999
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Cotyledion tylodes is an extinct, stalked filter-feeder known from the Chengjiang lagerstatten. The living animal reached a couple of centimetres in height, and bore a loose scleritome of ovoid sclerites. Its interpretation has been controversial, and it has been previously identified as a carpoid echinoderm,[1] or as a stem group echinoderm.[2] C. tylodes is now classified as a stem group entoprocta based on new fossils that clearly show a U-shaped gut and a crown of tentacles.[3] This entoproct interpretation of Cotyledion, however, has been questioned by Mark McMenamin, who considers it best interpreted as a stem group echinoderm based on the morphology of its stem sclerites.[4]