Marocella Explained

Marocella is a conical shelly fossil of uncertain affinity (probably a mollusc) known from Cambrian strata of Europe, Morocco, Australia and Antarctica.^[1]

Morphology

Limpet-like Marocella is a low conical shell with concentric ridges that grew to a couple of centimetres in length.^[2]

Affinity

Marocella is thought to be a mollusc, although its position within this phylum is undetermined.^[2] Relationship to the halkieriids has also been considered.^[1]

Ecology

Some specimens show evidence of repairing damage caused by predators.^[2] It probably moved around on the sea floor.^[2] It was geographically widespread.^[2]

Distribution

Fossils of Marocella have been found in:^[3]

• Shackleton Limestone, Antarctica
• Mernmerna Formation and Parara Limestone, Australia
• Jbel Wawrmast Formation, Morocco
• Sparagmite Formation, Norway
• Láncara Formation, Spain

Notes and References

1. Evans . K. R. . Marocella: Antarctic Specimens of an Enigmatic Cambrian Animal . 1305841 . Journal of Paleontology . 66 . 4 . 558–562 . 1992 . 10.1017/s0022336000024422. 1992JPal...66..558E . 132749268 .
2. Skovsted . C. B. . Brock . G. A. . Lindström . A. . Peel . J. S. . Paterson . J. R. . Fuller . M. K. . Early Cambrian record of failed durophagy and shell repair in an epibenthic mollusc . Biology Letters . 3 . 3 . 314–317 . 2007 . 17412671 . 2464687 . 10.1098/rsbl.2007.0006.
3. http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon_no=7953 Marocella