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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