Amplectobeluidae


Amplectobeluidae is a clade of Cambrian anomalocaridans.

Definition

In 2014, Amplectobeluidae was defined as the most inclusive clade including Amplectobelua symbrachiata but not Anomalocaris canadensis, Tamisiocaris borealis, or Hurdia victoria.

Classification

Early in 2014, "Anomalocaris" kunmingensis was tentatively assigned to Amplectobelua by Vinther et al. Later that year, however, the discoverers of Lyrarapax unguispinus ignored that assessment and created a genus within Amplectobelua sensu Vinther et al.

Phylogeny

An a posteriori-weighted phylogenetic analysis in 2014 found the following relationships within the Amplectobeluidae:

Description

Amplectobeluids had robust, pincer-like frontal appendages, which made them better suited for hunting large, heavily armored prey like trilobites than were most other radiodonts. A distinctive physical feature only known in amplectobeluids is a pair of long caudal furcae.