Dartmouthi

Dartmouthi is a genus of small, extinct marine invertebrates that lived during the Cambrian period. These fossils are primarily found in the Burgess Shale of British Columbia, Canada, and in similar Cambrian Lagerstätten deposits around the world. Dartmouthi specimens are typically preserved as flattened impressions on shale surfaces, often showing intricate details of their anatomy.

The body of Dartmouthi was segmented, with a distinct head region and a series of overlapping plates forming a protective shield. The exact classification of Dartmouthi has been a subject of debate among paleontologists. Initially, it was thought to be related to arthropods due to its segmented body and apparent exoskeleton. However, more recent studies suggest it may represent a separate lineage or be related to other early Cambrian groups.

Its diet and lifestyle are not well understood. The absence of clearly defined mouthparts or appendages in many specimens makes it difficult to determine whether it was a filter feeder, a scavenger, or a predator. The presence of a flattened body shape could indicate a benthic existence, meaning it lived on the seafloor. The discovery of Dartmouthi provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary experiments of early animal life during the Cambrian explosion, a period of rapid diversification of multicellular organisms.