Multiplacophora Explained

Multiplacophora is a stem-group of chitons with a number of plates arranged in 7 rows along the body.^[1] They date to at least the Upper Cambrian, but two lower Cambrian fossils- Ocruranus and Trachyplax - may extend the range downwards.^[2]

Families and genera

• Family Hercolepadidae Dzik, 1986
  • Genus Hercolepas Aurivillius, 1892
  • Genus Protobalanus Hall and Clarke, 1888
• Family Strobilepidae Hoare and Mapes, 1995
  • Genus Aenigmatectus Hoare and Mapes, 1996
  • Genus Deltaplax Puchalski, Johnson, Kauffman and Eernisse, 2009
  • Genus Diadeloplax Hoare and Mapes, 1995
  • Genus Hannestheronia Vinther, Jell, Kampouris, Carney, Racicot & Briggs, 2012^[3]
  • Genus Polysacos Vendrasco, Wood and Runnegar, 2004^[1]
  • Genus Strobilepis Clarke in Hall and Clarke, 1888

Notes and References

1. Vendrasco . M. J. . Wood . T. E. . Runnegar . B. N. . Articulated Palaeozoic fossil with 17 plates greatly expands disparity of early chitons . Nature . 429 . 288–291 . 2004 . 15152250 . 10.1038/nature02548. 2004Natur.429..288V . 6989.
2. Larsson . C. M. . Peel . J. S. . Högström . A. E. S. . 10.4202/app.2009.0026 . Trachyplax arctica, a New Multiplated Problematic Fossil from the Lower Cambrian of North Greenland . Acta Palaeontologica Polonica . 54 . 3 . 513 . 2009 . free .
3. JAKOB. VINTHER. PETER. JELL. GEORGE. KAMPOURIS. RYAN. CARNEY. RACHEL A.. RACICOT. DEREK E. G.. BRIGGS. 2012. The origin of multiplacophorans – convergent evolution in Aculiferan molluscs. Palaeontology. 55. 5. 1007–1019. 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01180.x. free.