Dorsalisten

Dorsalisten is a term used in biology to describe a type of early Cambrian fossilized worm-like creature. The fossils of dorsalisten are characterized by their worm-like morphology, which is suggested to have been composed of a series of ring-like structures.

Researchers believe that these ring-like structures were actually the last segments of the worm's body. The fossil record of dorsalisten is characterized by length and body shape that varies greatly, ranging from just a few millimeters to several centimeters long, and the shape of the body can vary greatly too.

Dorsalisten fossils have been identified in various sedimentary rock layers from the early Cambrian period, which stretches around 548 to 488 million years ago. It is believed that these fossils provide important insights into the evolution of animal life, particularly the early divergences within the subkingdom Lophotrochozoa.

While the classification of dorsalisten is within the Lophotrochozoa phylum, its exact position within the phylum remains uncertain, and intensive debate persists over its closest likely ancestor among the early Cambrian lophotrochozoans. The dorsalisten fossils suggest a crucial role in understanding the origins and diversification of animal life on Earth.