Articles | Volume 39, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-39-61-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/jm-39-61-2020
Research article
 | 
26 May 2020
Research article |  | 26 May 2020

Skeletal architecture of middle Cambrian spicular radiolarians revealed using micro-CT

Jiani Sheng, Sarah Kachovich, and Jonathan C. Aitchison

Video supplement

Micro-CT 3D models and videos of two middle Cambrian spicular radiolarians recovered from the Georgina Basin, Australia J. Sheng, S. Kachovich, and J. C. Aitchison https://doi.org/10.14264/89f20d4

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Short summary
To better understand radiolarian evolution and taxonomy, two middle Cambrian specimens recovered from Australia were studied using micro-CT. Analyses of their 3-D models revealed for the first time their skeletal architecture constructed of spicules. Insertion of an artificial sphere into their shells indicates that they may have secreted their spicules one by one during cell enlargement. The timing of skeletal genesis may be an important factor influencing the morphology of early radiolarians.