A unique, “trilobite-like” fossil - the isopod Cyclosphaeroma malogostianum sp.n. from the Lower Kimmeridgian of the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland

Abstract

The new species of the isopod crustacean (order Isopoda, superclass Crustacea), Cyclosphaeroma malogostianum sp.n., is established upon a specimen from the Lower Kimmeridgian of the Holy Cross Mountains, Central Poland. This specimen, being a well preserved exoskeleton of the anterior part of the animal, is interpreted as buried during, or soonafter, its molting when the posterior part has not yet been crusted. Such mode of preservation, as well as the morphology of the cephalic unit, are compared with those of the three other species of the genus, C. trilobatum H. WOODWARD, 1890, C. uhligi (REMEŠ, 1903), and C. woodwardi VAN STRAELEN, 1928, whose taxonomy is revised, and possible phyletic affinities are discussed.