Pywackia Explained

Pywackia is a contentious Cambrian fossil that has been interpreted as the earliest (total group) Bryozoan, and the only representative of that phylum in the Cambrian period.[1] Its Bryozoan credentials have been called into question,[2] but the octocoral alternative is equally unconvincing, and there are reasons to suggest a position in the Stenolaemata stem lineage.[3] Finally, the skeletal microstructure is consistent with a cnidarian affinity, but insufficient to support a close affinity with any modern subgroup.[4]

Notes and References

  1. 10.1130/G30870.1. Cambrian origin of all skeletalized metazoan phyla--Discovery of Earth's oldest bryozoans (Upper Cambrian, southern Mexico). 2010. Landing . E.. English . A.. Keppie . J. D.. Geology. 38. 6. 547. 2010Geo....38..547L.
  2. 10.1666/13-029. Reinterpretation of the Cambrian 'Bryozoan' Pywackia as an Octocoral. Journal of Paleontology. 87. 6. 984. 2013. Taylor . P. D. . Berning . B. R. . Wilson . M. A. . 2013JPal...87..984T. 129113026.
  3. Journal of Paleontology . 89. 2. 292–317. 2015 . Distinguishing Earth's oldest known bryozoan (Pywackia, late Cambrian) from pennatulacean octocorals (Mesozoic—Recent) . Ed Landing . Jonathan B. Antcliffe . Martin D. Brasier . Adam B. English . 10.1017/jpa.2014.26. 2015JPal...89..292L . 131609198 .
  4. 10.1017/jpa.2023.35. Late Cambrian Pywackia is a cnidarian, not a bryozoan: Insights from skeletal microstructure. 2023. Hageman. Steven J.. Vinn. Olev. Journal of Paleontology. 1–12. free.

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