vesikantids

Vesikantids are a group of extinct marine invertebrates that lived during the Cambrian period, approximately 541 to 485.4 million years ago. They are known primarily from fossilized shells, which are typically conical or horn-shaped, hence the name "vesikantid" which roughly translates to "water horn." These fossils are often found in Cambrian fossil sites worldwide, indicating a widespread distribution during that era. The exact biological classification of vesikantids has been a subject of debate among paleontologists. Some have suggested a relationship to mollusks, particularly gastropods, due to the coiled or conical nature of their shells. Others have proposed links to other extinct phyla or even placed them within their own unique group. Their feeding habits are inferred to be suspension feeding or possibly deposit feeding, utilizing their shells in relation to the seafloor. The ecological role of vesikantids in Cambrian seas is not fully understood, but they likely contributed to the benthic communities. The extinction of vesikantids occurred by the end of the Cambrian period, and their disappearance is part of the broader faunal turnover seen at that time. Study of vesikantid fossils provides valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary experiments of early marine life during the Cambrian explosion.