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Chancelloria pentacta & Castericystis vali Age: Cambrian Formation: Wheeler Formation Location: Millard County, Utah Size: Plate is 1.6" X 2.5". This specimen is not for sale Click here for similar specimens that are for sale
This is an unusual association of fossils. There are two specimens of Chancelloria pentacta and two specimens of Castericystis vali from Utah. Chancelloria is sort of an enigma, and has been found in the Burgess Shale fauna. It was first thought to be a "glass sponge", but it has now been described as a "coeloscleritophoran". This specimen has two Chancelloria sitting side by side on the matrix. The fossils exhibit great detail on the sclerites, especially at the top of the organisms. The bright orangish-red color is fully natural. Also on the plate are two "baby" specimens of Castericystis vali. Castericystis is thought by some to be the oldest chordate known. This is a very interesting assemblage of two different organisms from the Middle Cambrian.