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Name:
Leptomitus bellinineata
Age: Middle Cambrian
Formation: Marjum Formation
Location: Millard County, Utah
Size: Sponge is 3.5 inches long
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This is a highly collectible invertebrate fossil. It is a Leptomitus bellinineata sponge from the Marjum Formation of Utah. This genus of sponge is also found in the Burgess Shale fauna, and is pictured on page 74 of the Smithsonian's "Fossils of the Burgess Shale" book. Leptomitus was a very elongate, tubular sponge. It was the earliest known demosponge, and appears to be the ancestor to many other types of Middle Cambrian sponges. This specimen is quite large and exhibits great detail - the fine structure of the sponge is easily seen. The natural, orangish color of the sponge contrasts beautifully with the pinkish matrix. The fossil is nicely presented on the plate of shale. This is an excellent example of this rare sponge from the Middle Cambrian.
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