The maker of some Lower Cambrian trace fossils identified?

[Halichoeres]

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-15089-y

Open access!

There are lots of trace fossils from the earliest Cambrian, but very few body fossils. This paper describes the incertae sedis metazoan Vittatusivermis annularius "ringed ribbon-shaped worm" from southern China. This is the sort of amazing fossil that it's almost unreasonable to even expect the record to preserve, but here it is!

[Faelrin]

I'm a bit confused on one thing in the abstract (probably misunderstanding something), "Body fossils of large worms, however, have so far not been found". Does Ottoia not count (think I might need to go do some research)?

In any case this does seem like quite the exciting discovery. Reminds me of the discovery of Dakotaraptor. It might just be another piece in the puzzle, but it helps make that puzzle a bit more closer to being a picture in the end.

[SBell]

I'm a bit confused on one thing in the abstract (probably misunderstanding something), "Body fossils of large worms, however, have so far not been found". Does Ottoia not count (think I might need to go do some research)?

In any case this does seem like quite the exciting discovery. Reminds me of the discovery of Dakotaraptor. It might just be another piece in the puzzle, but it helps make that puzzle a bit more closer to being a picture in the end.

I think they are referring to large-bodied worms that could make the trace fossils--Ottoia would not be that organism. Finding a 'worm' of the traditional conception (earthworm, roundworm, flatworm) is an amazingly rare occurrence. Even given the vast amount of burrows they left behind, those bodies just don't seem capable of fossilizing!

[Faelrin]

I'm a bit confused on one thing in the abstract (probably misunderstanding something), "Body fossils of large worms, however, have so far not been found". Does Ottoia not count (think I might need to go do some research)?

In any case this does seem like quite the exciting discovery. Reminds me of the discovery of Dakotaraptor. It might just be another piece in the puzzle, but it helps make that puzzle a bit more closer to being a picture in the end.

I think they are referring to large-bodied worms that could make the trace fossils--Ottoia would not be that organism. Finding a 'worm' of the traditional conception (earthworm, roundworm, flatworm) is an amazingly rare occurrence. Even given the vast amount of burrows they left behind, those bodies just don't seem capable of fossilizing!

That makes sens then. Thanks.

[Halichoeres]

Well, also Ottoia is from the Middle Cambrian. The abstract specifically refers to the Lower Cambrian. So this fossil is 20 million years older, before the first appearance of anything attributable to Ottoia.

[ZoPteryx]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing!