Name: Mafangocaris
multinodus
Phylum
Arthropoda
Geological
Time: Early Cambrian (~525 million years ago)
Size: 22
mm long on a 38 mm by 28 mm matrix
Fossil
Site: Chengjiang Maotianshan Shale - Quiongzhusi Section, Yu’anshan
Member, Heilinpu Formation, Mafang, Anning, Kunming, Yunnan Province,
China
 This
unusual arthropod is known as Mafangocaris, a taxon that is thought
by some scientists to be a synonym of Leanchoilia.
The specimen is a member of the “great appendage arthropods”
known as the opabinids after Opabinia from the Burgess Shale Fauna.
 Other
members of the great appendage arthropods from Chengjiang are Jianfengia
and Alalcomenaeus.
The exceptional detail of the appendages is readily apparent in
this fine specimen, and is indicative of the fact that Mafangocaris
was likely a strong swimmer. This is a lateral view of the fossil;
additional material may be covered by matrix. The depiction of the
similar taxon Leanchoilia shows what they probably looked like in
life.
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