Ercaicunia Rare Shelled Arthropod from Chengjiang
with Preserved Appendages

This unusual arthropod, Ercaicunia multinodosa is mostly known from the thin-shelled carapace. This exceptionally well preserved specimen shows a segmented abdomen, and at the posterior of the carapace, several legs are evident. The systematic position of this taxon has undergone several revisions. It was established as the sole member of the Family Clypercarididae, and was originally known from only one specimen. Those from Chengjiang have been called Ercaicunia multinodosa, but some scientists believe that to be a junior synonym of Clypecaris. It differs from the more common genus Waptia in having more body segments.