Mystery Fossil Lab

Mystery Fossil #1

The fossil seen to the left was discovered in China in 2004, and was radiometrically dated to 525 million years old the Cambrian Period. The organism was soft bodied and about 5-10cm-long (2-4 inches). It had a flattened body and horizontal fins which researchers think, could have been used to support it as it moved along the sea floor. It also had well developed senses, including a pair of eyes on stalks. This organism is clearly and animal, but it does not fit easily in any known phylum of animals (alive or extinct).

Identifying the Mystery Fossil

1. You will be placed into a group of three students. Come up with a list of physical characteristics that you see in the fossil (or artistic representation of it.)

2. Use the the dichotomous key below, and the List of Phyla for Kingdom Animalia (Wikipedia). To determine which phylum you think this organism belonged to. One option is to decide it does not belong to any of the phylum’s listed. Assign one person in your group to look up any vocabulary words you do not recognize in the key or in your research.

3. As a group write one clear paragraph explaining which phylum you selected and why.You should have a topic sentence that presents a clear scientific opinion as to which phylum this fossil belongs to. You should also provide at least three pieces of observable evidence to support your views. Write in third person (no I’s, you’s, or we’s).  Post it to the discussion board (make sure all names are attached.). 

Mystery Fossil #2

 

The fossil to the left, also found in China as part of a Burgess Shale deposit.The fossil is a three centimeter long tubular organism, a tiny head and nine pairs of limbs. The first two pairs of limbs, just behind the head, are the longest, and are equipped with elongate spines so that they look like combs.

Repeat the same procedure for Mystery Fossil #2. This time, you will write the paragraph individually. Use the rubric below to help you do your best work.  Post it to the discussion board when your paragraph is finished.

 

 

 

Evaluation	Beginning	Developing	Accomplished	Score
Hypothesis	Letter lacks a clear topic sentence or fails to state a hypothesis about which phylum the mystery fossil belongs to.	Letter includes a hypothesis but it lacks clarity or it is illogical based on the characteristics of the fossil or phylum described.	Letter contains a clear topic sentence, expressing a logical hypothesis on which phylum the mystery fossil belongs to.	/4
Factual Supports	Letter does not contain any factual supports for the group’s hypothesis,or  the supports are not based on any logical or observable characteristics of the mystery fossil.	Letter contains one or two factual supports for the group’s hypothesis, or some of the supports mentioned do not match the phylum mentioned or are not based on observable characteristics of the mystery fossil.	Letter contains at least three factual supports for the group’s hypothesis, based on observable characteristics of the mystery fossil and known characteristics of established animal phylum.	/4
Fluency	Letter is no clear, it is disorganized, or it makes frequent use of first person words like I or we or you.  Letter lacks any vocabulary appropriate for biological classification.	Letter is clear, and coherent, but it fails to use specific vocabulary appropriate to biological classification or it includes first person words like I or we or you.	Letter is clear, and coherent, it uses vocabulary appropriate to biological classification and it is written in third person.	/4

Conclusions

Biological classification, like all science, goes through a constant process of revision. As new data becomes available we must revise our hypotheses. When radically new fossils are discovered it is sometimes necessary to redefine taxonomic groups or create new ones. Click here to read one group of experts opinions on mystery fossil #1. You can read about mystery fossil #2 here, and all of the other really weird fossils that came out of the Cambrian period here.