images

Anomalocaris

by

Walter B. Myers/Novapix

Reference

t-glb99-00045

Date

2012-04-09

An anomalocaridid from the genus Anomalocaris cruises a Middle Cambrian ocean floor about 500 million years ago. Growing to over three feet long, Anomalocaris is believed to have been a predator whose diet included trilobites and may have been one of the earliest arthropods.
This image includes a trilobite from the species Olenoides serratus and sponges from the genus Vauxia and Wapkia. The small, flower-like animals (yes, like the sponges they are rooted animals) are from the genus Dinomischus. Above and behind the Anomalocaris is an ancient jellyfish.