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Anomalocaris canadensis (Burgess Shale)
NameAnomalocaris canadensis (Burgess Shale)
Scientific NameAnomalocaris canadensis
Common NameAnomalocaris
Geologic PeriodCambrian
Geologic Erapaleozoic
Age (Million Years Ago)508
Discovery LocationBurgess Shale, British Columbia, Canada
Geological FormationBurgess Shale Formation
Dimensions (cm)Not provided in image or metadata; typical specimens range from a few cm to over 50 cm in length.
Taxonomic ClassificationAnimalia Radiodonta Dinocaridida Radiodonta Anomalocarididae Anomalocaris canadensis
Type of Fossilbody
Preservation Qualityexcellent
DietCarnivore/Predator (likely preyed on trilobites and other soft-bodied organisms)
HabitatMarine (deep-water benthic or nektonic)
Rarityrare
Description
A well-preserved compression fossil of Anomalocaris canadensis, a large, predatory marine animal from the Cambrian period. The fossil displays the segmented body, lateral swimming flaps, and possibly remnants of the feeding appendages, characteristic of this iconic stem-arthropod. The preservation quality, typical of the Burgess Shale, highlights soft-bodied structures.
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