Class †Dinocaridida Clade †Amplectobeluidae | ||
Similar | ||
Definition
In 2014, Amplectobeluidae was defined as the most inclusive clade including Amplectobelua symbrachiata but not Anomalocaris canadensis, Tamisiocaris borealis, or Hurdia victoria.
Classification
Early in 2014, "Anomalocaris" kunmingensis was tentatively assigned to Amplectobelua by Vinther et al. Later that year, however, the discoverers of Lyrarapax unguispinus ignored that assessment and created a genus within Amplectobelua sensu Vinther et al.
Phylogeny
An a posteriori-weighted phylogenetic analysis in 2014 found the following relationships within the Amplectobeluidae:
Description
Amplectobeluids had robust, pincer-like frontal appendages, which made them better suited for hunting large, heavily-armored prey like trilobites than were most other radiodonts. A distinctive physical feature only known in amplectobeluids is a pair of long caudal furcae.