Pediculate Brachiopod Diandongia pista from the Lower Cambrian of South China

Abstract

Abstract The Chengjiang Lagerstätte has been celebrated for prolific soft‐bodied fossils. Based on specimens recently excavated in the Chengjiang Lagerstätte by the Early Life Institute, Northwest University, Diandongia pista Rong, 1974, is directly revealed to be a pediculate brachiopod, assigned to the Family Botsfordiidae, as is further confirmed by the exceptionally preserved vascular system including dorsal and ventral mantle canals. These specimens described herein exhibit some peculiarities, notably the extremely thin and long pedicles, which suggest that Diandongia is epifaunal rather than burrowing brachiopod. A study of this group of animals indicates that they may be vital to understand the relationship between the lingulids and the remaining brachiopods, and the character evolution of the early Cambrian brachiopods.