{{Short description|Extinct genus of enigmatic organisms}} {{Speciesbox | image = Microschedia.jpg | image_caption = ''Microschedia'' (Image source: Geyer 1994) | fossil_range = {{fossil range|Lower Cambrian}} | genus = Microschedia | species = amphitrite | display_parents = 3 | parent_authority = Geyer, 1994 | authority = Geyer, 1994 }}
'''''Microschedia''''' is an enigmatic fossil bilaterian known from four specimens from Lower Cambrian Amouslek Formation deposits in Morocco.<ref name="cite jstor|1306138">{{Cite journal | last1 = Geyer | first1 = G. | title = An Enigmatic Bilateral Fossil from the Lower Cambrian of Morocco | jstor = 1306138 | journal = Journal of Paleontology | volume = 68 | issue = 4 | pages = 710–716 | year = 1994 | doi = 10.1017/s0022336000026147| bibcode = 1994JPal...68..710G }}</ref>
== Morphology ==
The fossils are approximately discoid, and covered with a net-like pattern. Fine hair-like projections extend beyond the edge of this almost-flat, firm (but non-mineralized) "shell", which bears no trace of muscle scars.<ref name="cite jstor|1306138"/>
== Affinity ==
Although there are problems with both brachiopod and cnidarian interpretations, no other animal group provides a good match for these fossils.<ref name="cite jstor|1306138"/> An affinity with the stem-group brachiopod ''Mickwitzia'' is currently considered to be the most likely interpretation for this fossil.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Skovsted | first1 = C. B. | last2 = Brock | first2 = G. A. | last3 = Holmer | first3 = L. E. | last4 = Paterson | first4 = J. R. | title = First report of the early Cambrian stem group brachiopod Mickwitzia from East Gondwana | journal = Gondwana Research | volume = 16 | pages = 145–150 | year = 2009 | issue = 1 | doi = 10.1016/j.gr.2009.02.002| bibcode = 2009GondR..16..145S }}</ref>
The enigmatic Cambrian and Ordovician animals ''Heliomedusa'', ''Marocella'' and ''Conchopeltis'' warrant comparison, although again large differences exist between these taxa.<ref name="cite jstor|1306138"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
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Category:Enigmatic prehistoric animal genera Category:Cambrian invertebrates Category:Monotypic prehistoric Bilateria genera