Name: Combinivalvula
chengjiangensis (Chengjiang Biota)
Phylum
Arthrpoda
Geological
Time: Early Cambrian (~525 million years ago)
Size (25.4mm=1
inch): 35 mm long by 23 mm across on a 50 mm by 36 mm matrix
Fossil
Site: Chengjiang - Quiongzhusi Section, Yu’anshan Member, Heilinpu
Formation, Mafang Village, Anning, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
|  Description:
This unusual bivalved arthropod is known as Combinivalvula. They
have a fairly wrinkled carapace which is indicative of its thin,
relatively unmineralized nature. This structure hinged along the
dorsal edge like a bivalve, but the juncture is only evident posteriorly.
The fact that the hinge is incomplete is indicative of the fact
that the shell was not designed to close. Rarely are any soft parts
preserved. Combinivalvula has been placed by some as a relative
of the waptiids. This taxon is only known from the Chengjiang Biota.
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