Nuucichthys

Nuucichthys
Temporal range: Cambrian, Drumian
Holotype specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Genus: Nuucichthys
Lerosey-Aubril & Ortega-Hernández, 2024
Type species
Nuucichthys rhynchocephalus
Lerosey-Aubril & Ortega-Hernández, 2024

Nuucichthys (meaning "Núu-ci fish") is an extinct genus of stem-group vertebrates known from the Cambrian (Miaolingian series) Marjum Formation of Utah, United States. The genus contains a single species, N. rhynchocephalus, known from a single individual, representing the first Cambrian vertebrate from the Great Basin region of North America. Nuucichthys provides insights into the diversity of Cambrian vertebrates, which are more rare in Laurentian deposits. Taxonomic studies recover this genus as closely related to other Laurentian stem-vertebrates such as Metaspriggina and Emmonaspis (possible early vertebrate).[1]

  1. ^ Lerosey-Aubril, R.; Ortega-Hernández, J. (2024). "A long-headed Cambrian soft-bodied vertebrate from the American Great Basin region". Royal Society Open Science. 11 (7). 240350. Bibcode:2024RSOS...1140350L. doi:10.1098/rsos.240350. PMC 11267725. PMID 39050723.