Haikouichthys
Haikouichthys ercaicunensis
It is among the earliest known candidates for vertebrates and marks an important step in the evolution of fish.
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Characteristics
- Scientific name
- Haikouichthys ercaicunensis
- Period
- Early Cambrian
- Lived
- 518–515 Ma (518 million years ago)
- Diet
- Unknown
- Habitat
- Open sea
- Length (estimate)
- 0.03 m
Description
Haikouichthys was a small, fish-like animal with an elongated body, a tail fin and probable gill structures. An internal rod along its back and segments in its trunk indicate a chordate body plan. It probably swam in the water column and fed on small particles, although its feeding method is unknown. Exceptional fossil preservation reveals some anatomical details, but interpretations remain cautious.
Habitat
Marine waters of the early Cambrian.
Fossil sites
Maotianshan Shales, Yunnan
Qiongzhusi Formation
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Sources: Haikouichthys