Morphology of Cambrian lobopodian eyes from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte and their evolutionary significance

► Exceptionally well-preserved eyes in Cambrian lobopodian animals (ca 525 Myr). ► Eyes of Luolishania and Hallucigenia are composed of multiple visual units. ► They may represent an early stage in the development of arthropod eyes. ► This study provides direct fossil evidence of evolutionary innovation.