A New Platy-armored Worm from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstatte,South China

The Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstatte provides a good window to explorethe origin and radiation of early bilaterians. Here we describe a netted sclerite-bearing wormTabelliscolex hexagonus gen. et sp. nov., and tentatively assign it to palaeoscolecidans ofpriapulids. The cuticle of the animal is covered with two kinds of platy sclerites which areconstructed by hexagonally arranged tubercles Similar structures of the sclerites can be seen onsome Cambrian palaeoscolecidans and lobopods, so, this new species is critical for understanding therelationships between lobopods and palaeoscolecidans.

Skeletal Microstructures of the Chiton Ischnochiton hakodadensis and a Comparison with the Cambrian Halkieria

Halkieria is an Early Cambrian fossil genus with proposed phylogenetic affinities ranging from stem group lophotrochozoan to stem-group aculiferan. Skeletal similarities are often cited as evidence in support of a mollusk interpretation for Halkieria and related Cambrian fossils. The skeletal microstructures of the polyplacophoran mollusk （chiton） Ischnochiton hakodadensis, which bears perinotum elements resembling sclerites of halkieriids and other coeloscleritophoran small shelly fossils （SSFs）, were studied to evaluate the interpretations. There are both similarities and differences between chiton skeletal structures and halkieriid sclerites： 1） the head valve of L hakodadensis and the dorsal shell of Halkieria evangelista share a similar pattern of fine concentric growth lines, but halkieriid dorsal shells lack other polyplacophoran valve characteristics, including V-shaped indentation, radiate ribs; 2） the arrangement of I. hakodadensis perinotum elements in three zones is somewhat similar to the arrangement pattern of halkieriid sclerites; 3） the inner perinotum scales of L hakodadensis （-200 μm in diameter） have a base and a blade, remarkably similar in morphology to halkieriid palmate sclerites （-400 μm in diameter）. However, I. hakodadensis perinotum scales are nearly solid whereas halkieriid sclerites are hollow. These observations add a microstructural dimension to the skeletal comparison between mollusks and halkeriids, and may prove to be useful in resolving the phylogenetic affinity of Halkieria and the Halwaxiidae.

X-Ray Diffraction Is a Promising Tool to Characterize Coral Skeletons

The skeletons of corals are made of calcium carbonate by biomineralization process, in the form of aragonite or calcite. To understand the characteristics of coral skeletons, especially mineralogy, crystal phases, organization and structure in individual species, X-ray powder diffraction techniques have gained increased interest in recent years as useful non-destructive tools. This review provides an overview on the recent progress in this field and briefly introduces the related experimental approach. The application of X-ray diffraction (XRD) to elucidating the structural and mechanical properties of mineral crystals in corals is reviewed in terms of characterization of CaCO3 crystal orientation. In addition, we discuss how this technique has increased our understanding of the function of the organic matrix proteins of calcified coral skeletons during mineral formation. Such information is helpful in deducing the mechanical and structural model of corals with respect to biomineralization system of skeletons.