Anomalocaridid cf. Peytoia
Early Ordovician (Arenigian)
Fezouata Formation
Mecissi-Zagora Region, Draa Valley
Morocco

Arthropod. Soft-bodied.

We have known for several years that there are many different anomalocaridids in the Fezouata shales, but a complete specimen was unknown. Appendages of at least 5-6 different types suggest there are at least two Hurdiids, the enormous Aegirocassis and at least two types of appendages similar to the predatory Cambrian anomalocaridids. Here on this site we have two examples of the latter:

F7896 Anomalocaridid appendage

F6866 Anomalocaridid appendage

Is this the animal they belong to? This huge 240mm specimen on a 320mm slab may be the first complete anomalocaridid known from the Ordovician besides Aegirocassis. A huge and extraordinary specimen. Only specimen of its kind we have ever seen.

ON HOLD