摘要：SummaryThe origin of mandibulate arthropods can be traced back to the Cambrian period to several carapace-bearing arthropod groups, but their morphological diversity is still not well characterized. Here, we describeBalhuticaris voltae, a bivalved arthropod from the 506-million-year-old Burgess Shale (Marble Canyon, British Columbia, Canada). This species has an extremely elongated and multisegmented body bearing ca. 110 pairs of homonomous biramous limbs, the highest number among Cambrian arthropods, and, at 245 mm, it represents one of the largest Cambrian arthropods known. Its unusual carapace resembles an arch; it covers only the frontalmost section of the body but extends ventrally beyond the legs.Balhuticarishad a complex sensory system and was probably an active swimmer thanks to its powerful paddle-shaped exopods and a long and flexible body.Balhuticarisincreases the ecological and functional diversity of bivalved arthropods and suggests that cases of gigantism occurred in more arthropod groups than previously recognized.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Balhuticaris voltae; a bivalved arthropod from the Cambrian Burgess Shale•It is the largest bivalved arthropod and one of the largest Cambrian arthropods•It was an agile nektobenthic swimmer with an extremely multisegmented body•This species increases the ecological and functional disparity of bivalved arthropodsBiological Sciences, Evolutionary Biology, Paleobiology
