Marrella splendens

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Time: Cambrian Epoch 2 (~508 million years ago)

Region: British Columbia, Canada

Formation: Burgess Shale

Coloration Data

Electron microscopy of specimen AM F38262 revealed microscopic parallel grooves on the outer spines of the cephalic shield of Marrella splendens. These surface microstructures acted as diffraction gratings, imparting structural iridescence to the animal in life.

Method: Electron microscopy.

Publications

• Parker A. R. (1998)
  A study of the coloration of Wiwaxia corrugata, Canadia spinosa, and Marrella splendens.

Documents and files

• Parker_1998.pdf (PDF)
  Paper by Parker (1998) on Wiwaxia corrugata, Canadia spinosa, and Marrella splendens.

Reconstructions

Fossils