<i>Metaxyspongia</i> from the Early Cambrian Hetang Biota, China (IMAGE)

Science China Press

<i>Metaxyspongia</i> from the Early Cambrian Hetang Biota, China

Caption

This is part of one of the new specimens of Metaxyspongia with tetraradial symmetry, and reconstruction of the whole animal. The fossil is 9 mm wide, with the delicate skeleton flattened onto the plane of the rock. Most of the skeleton is composed of cross-shaped spicules, except for the columns of modified spicules that define the symmetry of the sponge.

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©Science China Press

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