Waputikia

Waputikia is a possible red alga of the middle Cambrian Burgess shale. It comprises a main stem about 1 cm across, with the longest recovered fossil 6 cm in length. Branches of a similar diameter emerge from the side of the main branch, then rapidly bifurcate to much finer widths. The fossils are smooth and shiny; no internal structure can be recognised. 10 specimens of Waputikia are known from the Greater Phyllopod bed, where they comprise < 0.1% of the community.