Scleroctenophora
| Scleroctenophora Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Maotianoascus octonarius | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Ctenophora |
| Class: | †Scleroctenophora |
| Genera | |
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Scleroctenophora is an extinct class of stem group ctenophores, known from the Chinese Maotianshan shales of Yunnan. It is dated to Cambrian Stage 3 and belongs to late Early Cambrian strata. Scleroctenophorans are easily distinguished from other ctenophores by the presence of an internal skeleton that supports the body.