Zhongjianichthys

Zhongjianichthys Temporal range: 535–525Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Artist's reconstruction
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
(unranked):	Craniata
Superclass:	Agnatha
Family:	Myllokunmingiidae
Genus:	Zhongjianichthys

Zhongjianichthys rostratus is an extinct basal chordata that lived in the Cambrian period, approximately 530 million years ago. It is sometimes regarded as an early fish, and therefore an ancestor to all vertebrates.

Physical characteristics

The eyes are located behind the antero-dorsal lobe. It lacked scales, and had a thick skin. The ventral fin is low in height, and runs much of the body's length.

Locations

Zhongjianichthys specimens have been found in the early cambrian Maotianshan shales of China