Gaoloufangchaeta

Gaoloufangchaeta is an extinct genus of polychaete worms from the Cambrian (Stage 4) Wulongqing Formation of China.^[1] The type species is G. bifurcus. It may be a member of the Errantia annelids, implying members of the Annelida may have diverged from each other before the Cambrian. This dovetails with molecular studies recovering an Ediacaran origin of annelids.^[2]

Gaoloufangchaeta bifurcus Temporal range: Stage 4 PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Holotype specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Clade:	Pleistoannelida
Subclass:	Errantia
Genus:	†Gaoloufangchaeta Zhao, Li & Selden, 2023
Species:	†G. bifurcus
Binomial name
†Gaoloufangchaeta bifurcus Zhao, Li & Selden, 2023

Gaoloufangchaeta had bicellular eyes and possible nuchal organs, meaning it developed strong sensory abilities.^[1]