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254 / Paleozoic
Waptia
Waptia fieldensis
A bivalved carapace, paddle-like tail and brooded eggs reveal an early crustacean relative in detail.
- Time range
- About 508 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Cambrian
- Geographic range
- Open shelf waters · Burgess Shale, Canada
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Waptia?
Waptia (Waptia fieldensis) was an extinct organism known from About 508 million years ago, with a range in Open shelf waters · Burgess Shale, Canada.
Life and ecology
Waptia swam with its rear body and tail fan while its front limbs processed food. Females carried egg clusters beneath the carapace.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Waptia disappear?
Cambrian arthropod turnover replaced this body plan as crown crustaceans diversified.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Waptia?
Thousands of fossils preserve the carapace, compound eyes, gills, digestive system and embryos.
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