Invertebrate
Collinsium ciliosum
Collinsium ciliosumAlso known as Hairy Collins' Monster
Collinsium ciliosum anchored itself to the muddy Cambrian seafloor using hooked rear walking limbs while extending its feathered front appendages into gentle marine currents. Dense rows of delicate setae along these anterior limbs sieved microscopic plankton and organic detritus directly from the water column. Dozens of sharp, mineralized spines studded its back, providing vital armor against emerging macro-predators.
CambrianBenthic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySuspended organic particles, Phytoplankton, Microscopic zooplankton
Predators
- Radiodonts
- Predatory priapulid worms
- Large swimming arthropods
ThreatsCambrian ecological turnovers and changing ocean chemistry
HabitatsShallow marine continental shelf muds
Life spanUnknown (estimated 1–2 years)
Classification
- FamilyLuolishaniidae
- GenusCollinsium
- SpeciesCollinsium ciliosum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct fossil organism; safe to handle in rock matrices.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Examination: Use low-angle raking light across shale slabs to highlight fine setae and papillae.
- Museum Collections: Observe prepared fossil specimens in natural history collections specializing in Cambrian biotas.
Related Lobopodian Han Zeng / CC0 · cc0
Apex Predator (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Woudloper / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.