A superarmoured lobopodian from the Cambrian Stage 4 of southern China

A superarmoured lobopodian Collinsium sp. from the Cambrian (Stage 4) Wulongqing Formation in Kunming clearly exhibits dorsal sets of sclerotized spines, suspension feeding appendages with spiniform setae, and annulated walking limbs with a terminal claw. The distinctive body configuration reinforces the remarkable appendage specialization associated with feeding and locomotion and overall morphological disparity in lobopodians during the Cambrian explosion. This finding extends the geographic and stratigraphic ranges of ''Collins' monster''-like lobopodians, and provides additional information for a better understanding of the cryptic stemgroup Onychophora.