Available sizes

Small – 1:1 of the actual size | Normal Pre-supported versions

Description

Pikaia resembles Metaspriggina in outline, another chordate animal from the Burgess Shale, with an elongate body and a small anterior region bearing the head.

The body is laterally flattened and there is evidence of a ventral fin towards the posterior.

Numerous V-shaped or ziz-zag segments interpreted as myomeres or muscle bands are visible in all specimens. A narrow dorsal structure which runs down the length of the organism might represent a notochord, but this interpretation remains to be confirmed.

The head bears two equal lobes and a pair of short and slender tentacle-like structures.

There is no evidence of eyes. Just behind the head, on the ventral side of the body, there is a series of up to twelve pairs of small, short, pointed structures on either side of the midline. These are thought to be related to gill openings.

Additional Details

Print can be used with or without the base. Base is hollow to minimize the amount of resin used.

Care should be taken when removing supports. Using a heat gun or a blow dryer is highly recommended.