Didazoon
Encyclopedia
The genus Didazoon was erected by Shu, et al. based on fossils found in the Qiongzhusi (Chiungchussu) Formation, Yu'anshan Member (Eoredlichia zone), Lower Cambrian, in the Dabanqiao area (Kunming
), about 60 km northwest of Chengjiang, China
. It currently consists of the single species Didazoon haoae.
The fossils show that the body of the animal was covered in a thin, flexible cuticle
. The anterior part of the body was divided into six segments, with fairly broad membranes separating the segments, and the posterior part of the body was divided into seven segments. The constriction between the anterior and posterior parts of the animal shows creasing, and the authors hypothesize that it was quite flexible. The fossils are interpreted as showing a large anterior opening, presumably a mouth, a spacious anterior cavity, an alimentary canal, possibly voluminous in the anterior section, and a narrow intestine
in the posterior section, straight or coiled (in one specimen). There are five structures on each side of the anterior portion that the authors interpret as gills. Narrow strands towards the lateral margins, sometimes branched, may represent vascular tissue
. The authors also identify a dark strand on the lower interior surface of the anterior section, which they speculate is an endostyle
.
Kunming
' is the capital and largest city of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. It was known as Yunnan-Fou until the 1920s. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of Yunnan, and is the seat of the provincial government...
), about 60 km northwest of Chengjiang, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. It currently consists of the single species Didazoon haoae.
The fossils show that the body of the animal was covered in a thin, flexible cuticle
Cuticle
A cuticle , or cuticula, is a term used for any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticles" are non-homologous; differing in their origin, structure, function, and chemical composition...
. The anterior part of the body was divided into six segments, with fairly broad membranes separating the segments, and the posterior part of the body was divided into seven segments. The constriction between the anterior and posterior parts of the animal shows creasing, and the authors hypothesize that it was quite flexible. The fossils are interpreted as showing a large anterior opening, presumably a mouth, a spacious anterior cavity, an alimentary canal, possibly voluminous in the anterior section, and a narrow intestine
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
in the posterior section, straight or coiled (in one specimen). There are five structures on each side of the anterior portion that the authors interpret as gills. Narrow strands towards the lateral margins, sometimes branched, may represent vascular tissue
Vascular tissue
Vascular tissue is a complex conducting tissue, formed of more than one cell type, found in vascular plants. The primary components of vascular tissue are the xylem and phloem. These two tissues transport fluid and nutrients internally. There are also two meristems associated with vascular tissue:...
. The authors also identify a dark strand on the lower interior surface of the anterior section, which they speculate is an endostyle
Endostyle
An endostyle is a longitudinal ciliated groove on the ventral wall of the pharynx which produces mucus to gather food particles. It is found in urochordates and cephalochordates, and in the larvae of lampreys. It aids in transporting food to the esophagus. It is also called the hypopharyngeal groove...
.
External links
- New phylum on the block
- Once We Were Worms
- Chu, et al., Primitive Deuterostomes from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte - accessed December 1, 2005