Paucijaculum
| Paucijaculum Temporal range: Moscovian, ~ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Paucijaculum samamithion specimen from Mazon Creek Pit 11 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chaetognatha |
| Genus: | †Paucijaculum Schram, 1973 |
| Species: | †P. samamithion |
| Binomial name | |
| †Paucijaculum samamithion Schram, 1973 | |
Paucijaculum is an extinct genus of chaetognath from the Carboniferous age Francis Creek Shale and Carbondale Group of Illinois, United States.[2] It contains one species, Paucijaculum samamithion.
Discovery and naming
[edit]The holotype is FMNH PE116 and it was discovered no later than 1972 inside an ironstone concretion at Pit 11 at Mazon Creek.[3] Schram (1973) named and described Paucijaculum samamithion as the oldest known and first known fossil chaetognath;[3] this was accepted until Eognathacantha was identified from the Cambrian Stage 3 in China.[4]
Additional specimens have been found in the Carbondale Group near Essex, Illinois.[5]
Description
[edit]
Paucijaculum grew up to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long and had incipiently developed fins alongside a circular tail fin.[3]
Most specimens are poorly preserved and lack detail.[3]
References
[edit]- ↑ P. A. Allison (1987). "A new cephalopod with soft parts from the Upper Carboniferous Francis Creek Shale of Illinois, USA". Lethaia. 20 (78): 117–121. doi:10.1111/j.1502-3931.1987.tb02028.x.
- ↑ "Paucijaculum Schram, 1973". GBIF. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 F. R. Schram. (1973). Pseudocoelomates and a nemertine from the Illinois Pennsylvanian. Journal of Paleontology 47:985-989
- ↑ Chen, Jun-Yuan; Huang, Di-Ying (2002-10-04). "A Possible Lower Cambrian Chaetognath (Arrow Worm)". Science. 298 (5591): 187–187. doi:10.1126/science.1075059. ISSN 0036-8075.
- ↑ "1" Fossil Arrow Worm (Paucijaculum) Pos/Neg- Illinois". FossilEra. Retrieved 11 February 2026.