Anomalocaris
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Extinct (fossil)
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Anomalocaris ("unusual shrimp") is an extinct genus of anomalocarids, which are, in turn, thought to be closely related to the Arthropoda.
Anomalocaris was a swimming creature which possibly used flexible lobes on the sides of its body to propel itself through the water. Its large head had big eyes with multiple lenses and a round mouth. Two large 'arms' with barb-like spikes were positioned in front of the mouth; Anomalocaris probably used these to grab prey and bring it to its mouth.
For the time in which it lived Anomalocaris was a truly gigantic creature, reaching lengths of an already large 60 cm (2 ft) to a staggering 2 m (6 ft 8 in).[citation needed] Essentially it was the Great White Shark of its time, and the top predator of the Cambrian fauna so far discovered.
Anomalocaris has been misidentified several times. Its name originates from a description of a detached 'arm', mistaken for a separate creature. The mouth was mistaken for a jellyfish and called Peytoia, and the body was classified as a sponge named Laggania. According to ICZN rules, the oldest name takes priority, which in this case would be Anomalocaris. The name Laggania was later used for another genus of anomalocarid.
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[edit] In Popular Culture
- In Walking With Monsters, two Anomalocaris fight and the loser is feasted on by a school of Haikouichthys.
- In the japanese Tokusatsu series Madan Senki Ryukendo, the villains revive a large amount of Anomalocaris as a monster of the day.
- The pokemon Anorith seems to be based closely on this animal.
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