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516 / Paleozoic
Mollisonia
Mollisonia symmetrica
A tiny armored body and pincer-like front appendages suggest an early chelicerate relative.
- Time range
- About 508 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Cambrian
- Geographic range
- Shallow seafloor · Canada
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Mollisonia?
Mollisonia (Mollisonia symmetrica) was an extinct organism known from About 508 million years ago, with a range in Shallow seafloor · Canada.
Life and ecology
It scuttled across sediment and explored it for tiny animals.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Mollisonia disappear?
Chelicerate organization later became more fixed and this early form vanished.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Mollisonia?
Dorsal armor, eyes, legs and preoral limbs preserve its likely relationship.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS