Anomalocaris
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 Anomalocaris saron & Amplectobelua symbrachiata
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Extinct (fossil)
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Anomalocaris ("Anomalous 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 one pair of large, possibly compound, eyes, and a disk-like mouth that resembled a slice of pineapple. 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 from an already large 60 cm (2 ft) to a staggering 2 m (6 ft 8 in).[1]
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. "Peytoia" has been modified into Parapeytoyia, a genus of Chinese anomalocarid.
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