# Microschedia

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{{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 [bilateria](/source/bilateria)n known from four specimens from [Lower Cambrian](/source/Lower_Cambrian) Amouslek Formation deposits in [Morocco](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Heliomedusa)'', ''[Marocella](/source/Marocella)'' and ''[Conchopeltis](/source/Conchopeltis)'' warrant comparison, although again large differences exist between these taxa.<ref name="cite jstor|1306138"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{taxonbar|from1=Q6840015}}

Category:Enigmatic prehistoric animal genera
Category:Cambrian invertebrates
Category:Monotypic prehistoric Bilateria genera

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Microschedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microschedia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microschedia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.