THE STELLATE CUTICLE OF EMBRYO FOSSILS FROM LOWER CAMBRIAN KUANCHUANPU FORMATION

Embryos are preserved in 3D as phosphatized permineralizations with superficial structures,and interior anatomy revealed in partly decayed embryos.Different species share a similar naked egg membrane and stellate cuticle which indicate that:1)It is improper to judge affinity by size or superficial structure of embryos; 2) It is postulated that the stellate cuticle would provide physical protection and dispersal to suitable habitat.Such properties were also observed in extant sea anemone embryos;3) The stellate Olivooidesmay grow into a primitive larva,which could be the evidence of indirect development.

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