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''Phytophilaspis'' is a phosphatized genus of trilobite-like arthropod with eyes, found in association with algal remains.
It dwelt in well-lit, shallow waters.
''Phytophilaspis'' occurrence data. Paleobiology DatabasePhotograph
Cambrian trilobites Fossil taxa described in 1999 Fossils of Russia Artiopoda {{paleo-arthropod-stub
''Phytophilaspis'' is a phosphatized genus of trilobite-like arthropod with eyes, found in association with algal remains.
It dwelt in well-lit, shallow waters.
Description
''Phytophilaspis'' has several features in common with trilobites, including: tripartite division of the dorsal shield; presence of prominent pygidium; large eyes, situated on the pleural area of thecephalon
Cephalon, Inc. was an American biopharmaceutical company co-founded in 1987 by pharmacologist Frank Baldino, Jr., neuroscientist Michael Lewis, and organic chemist James C. Kauer—all three former scientists with the DuPont Company. Baldino s ...
; facial sutures
Trilobites (; meaning "three lobes") are extinct marine arthropods that form the class Trilobita. Trilobites form one of the earliest-known groups of arthropods. The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the A ...
, and shape of the hypostome
In zoology, the hypostome can refer to structures in distinct animal groups:
*Hypostome (trilobite), the ventral mouthpart plate in trilobites
*Hypostome (tick)
The hypostome (also called the maxilla, radula, or labium) is a calcified harpoo ...
. However, it differs from trilobites in many ways, including a reduced thorax, thoracic pleura fused to each other and to the cephalon and pygidium, facial sutures not crossing the eyes, and weak original mineralization of the cuticle. Because of these differences, ''Phytophilaspis'' was originally assigned to the Artiopodan subclass Concilliterga, in an undetermined order
Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to:
* Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood
* Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...
and family. It was later considered by Bergström and Hou as a xandarellid, along with '' Cindarella'', '' Xandarella'' and '' Sinoburius''. A position that was supported in subsequent studies.
See also
* ArachnomorphaReferences
External links
''Phytophilaspis'' occurrence data. Paleobiology Database
Cambrian trilobites Fossil taxa described in 1999 Fossils of Russia Artiopoda {{paleo-arthropod-stub