Zhongjianichthys

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Cassidy Wood

Paleoentomologist

Cassidy Wood uncovers the tiny yet significant world of prehistoric insects. Her research on amber-preserved specimens has revealed intricate details about ancient ecosystems.

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Name

Zhongjianichthys ‭(‬Zhongjian's fish‭)‬.

Phonetic

Named By

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Craniata,‭ ‬Myllokunmingiidae.

Diet

Uncertain.

Species

Z.‭ ‬rostratus‭

Size

‬Unavailable.

Known locations

China‭ ‬-‭ ‬Yuanshan Formation.

Time Period

Lower Cambrian.

Fossil representation

Preserved on slab.

In Depth

       As a relative to Haikouichthys and Myllokunmingia,‭ ‬Zhongjianichthys is widely considered to have been a very primitive fish.‭ ‬Zhongjianichthys still lacked scales that are commonly seen in modern fish,‭ ‬and may have instead had a smooth skin texture similar to that of a hagfish.

Further Reading

– A paleontological perspective of vertebrate origin. – Chinese Science Bulletin 2003 Vol. 48 No. 8. – D. G. Shu – 2003.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT