EARLY CAMBRIAN PALAEOSCOLECID CUTICLES FROM SKAANXI, CHINA

Phosphatized, three-dimensional cuticle fragments of the palaeoscoleci ds Houscolex lepidotus new genus and new species, Houscolex species in determinate, and an unidentified form are described from the Lower Cam brian Qiongzhusi Formation of Shaanxi, China. These segmented worms, c haracterized by regularly arranged simple plates and platelets, small circular pores and fine pits, and irregularly distributed nipplelike p rotuberances, are unique among known palaeoscolecids. The occurrence o f such cuticles as seemingly persistent elements of phosphatized fauna s suggests that wormlike organisms achieved a fairly high diversity an d widespread geographic distribution during the Early and Middle Cambr ian.