A Cambrian fossil from the Chengjiang fauna sharing characteristics with gilled lobopodians, opabiniids and radiodonts

Parvibellus atavus gen. et sp. nov. from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang fauna of China is a small fossil having distinct cephalic region bearing pair lateral projections and circular, ventral mouth. The trunk bears eleven pairs probably flap-like appendages short terminal projections. This character combination unique for biota. A circular mouth seen in Radiodonta some gilled lobopodians which are thought to be among radiodont’s closest relatives. P. , lobopodians, opabiniids, radiodonts also share putative along trunk. However, new differs by absence enlarged and/or raptorial frontal appendages. It lacking lobopod limbs stalked eyes. provisionally resolves as sister-group clade containing radiodonts, could potentially part an early radiation nektonic lower stem—Euarthropoda.