Chancelloriid sclerites from the lowermost Cambrian of North China and discussion of sclerite taxonomy

Abstract Chancelloriid sclerites from the lowermost Cambrian Xinji Formation (Series 2, Stage 3), southern margin of the North China platform, are systematically described. Thousands of isolated sclerites from three sections are assigned to three genera and four species, including Chancelloria cf. eros , Allonnia tripodophora , Archiasterella pentactina , and Ar. tetraspina . To accurately document the taxonomic significance of the sclerite structure, modified formulas (m+nC, m+nA, and m+0) are put forward to represent the full series and variation of sclerite forms. Based on the sclerite construction, statistical analysis on the proportions of different sclerite forms in the rock samples and the composition of sclerites in previously described chancelloriid scleritomes, a new scheme for identification and classification of isolated sclerites reconciled within the framework of the complete scleritome, is proposed.