Temnoxa molluscula

Temnoxa molluscula; Temporal range: Ediacaran, around 558–555 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
	Schematic reconstructions of Temnoxa molluscura
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	incertae sedis: Arthropoda? Mollusca?
Genus:	Parvancorina; Glaessner 1958
Type species
	T. molluscula; Ivanstov et. al 2004
Species
	T. molluska Ivanstov at al. 2004;

Temnoxa molluscula (Temnoxa molliuscula) is a small holotype creature approximately only 8 mm wide found in the Ediacaran period (558-555 Ma) ^[1] in Russia. Due to the lack of information regarding the fossils of this organism, researchers are unable to ascribe the Temnoxa molluscula into any known phylum.^[2]

Due to its body lacking metameric (linear series of body segments) appendages, it's highly hypothesized that this creature was closest related to the mollusk. However, there are opposing theories regarding the accuracy of this categorization because its unsegmented body and U-shaped head is far too large to be considered a mollusk.^[3] It also lacks a single shield-like mantle. This was evident because it appeared to slip away from a dorsal side of its body. ^[4] Temnoxa molluscula also appeared to lack a respiratory and sensory process. This creature may have had a foot to stick to surfaces. Its bilateralism suggests the Temnoxa Molluscula to be mobile. They may have been able to attach themselves to substrate. This organism is compact yet flexible, able to enclose a large volume of internal organs.

Despite these theories, "there are no reliable evidences of the soft bodies' structures of these organisms." (Ivanstov et. al 2012) It's inaccurate to assume correlation/similarities between the fossils and the shells. Portions of this organism also shares similarities with another Ediacaran creature, Kimberella.^[5]^[6]

References

^ Fodonkin, Mikhail (2007). "Ediacaran Fauna".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^ Ivanstov, A. Yu (4 June 2002). "Some Problematic Fossils from the Vendian of the Southeastern White Sea Region" (PDF). Paleontological Journal. 38: 1–9 – via MAIK.
^ Freeman, Gary (15 October 2009). "The rise of bilaterans". An International Journey of Paleobiology. 21: 114 – via Taylor and Francis Online.
^ Ivanstov, A. Yu (2012). "Paleontological Data on the Possibility of Precambrian Existence of Mollusks" (PDF). Mollusks: Morphology, Behavior and Ecology. 5: 27 – via Nova Science Publishers.
^ Budd, Graham (2017). "The origin of the animals and a 'Savannah' hypothesis for early bilaterian evolution: Early evolution of the animals". Respositorio institucional Universidad de Extremadura – via DEHESA.
^ Fendonkin, Mikail (28 August 1997). "The Late Precambrian fossil Kimberella is a mollusc-like bilaterian organism". NatureResearch.

Category:Prehistoric incertae sedis animal genera Category:Ediacaran biota Category:White Sea fossils Category:Fossil taxa described in 2004

[1] Fodonkin, Mikhail (2007). "Ediacaran Fauna".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[2] Ivanstov, A. Yu (4 June 2002). "Some Problematic Fossils from the Vendian of the Southeastern White Sea Region" (PDF). Paleontological Journal. 38: 1–9 – via MAIK.

[3] Freeman, Gary (15 October 2009). "The rise of bilaterans". An International Journey of Paleobiology. 21: 114 – via Taylor and Francis Online.

[4] Ivanstov, A. Yu (2012). "Paleontological Data on the Possibility of Precambrian Existence of Mollusks" (PDF). Mollusks: Morphology, Behavior and Ecology. 5: 27 – via Nova Science Publishers.

[5] Budd, Graham (2017). "The origin of the animals and a 'Savannah' hypothesis for early bilaterian evolution: Early evolution of the animals". Respositorio institucional Universidad de Extremadura – via DEHESA.

[6] Fendonkin, Mikail (28 August 1997). "The Late Precambrian fossil Kimberella is a mollusc-like bilaterian organism". NatureResearch.

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See also

References