Page 114 - The Cambrian Evidence that Darwin Failed to Comprehend
P. 114
The Cambrian Evidence That Darwin Failed to Comprehend
explains its rarity, because since active
swimmers do not generally live on the
sea floor, they may not leave many tra-
ces behind.
Since it cannot be linked to any
present form of life, this creature com-
prises a family of its own—the
Insolicoryphidae. 79 A fossil Insolicorypha
Branchiocaris
Branchiocaris had a hard shell consisting of two parts, covering
the anterior part of its body. The trunk consisted of 40 divisions. The
various appendages on its body were large structures resembling
flaps. It had limbs. Its gut is also clearly visible in the fossil speci-
men.
Branchiocaris had appendages on its head. Short antennae were
very strong and curved forward. Another pair of longer appendages
was situated beside the antennae and ended in a claw. The trunk ap-
pendages are very evident in the specimens. The creature in all
probability swam near the sea floor. It probably scavenged on dead
or sessile organisms. The claws were used to carry food to the
mouth. Its characteristics led to its being classified with arthro-
pods. 80
As you can see from these ex-
amples alone, Cambrian life forms
were flawless creatures living in
their own ecosystems and possessed
features that were just as complex as
those of organisms living today.
Phacops, which lived in that period
A fossil Branchiocaris
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