[Taxacom] Cambrian problematic "genus" Opabinia (my larval hypothesis)

[Kenneth Kinman]

Hi All,
       I was reading a 2015 article about "genus" Opabinia by Derek Briggs, but it seems to be a commentary and summary about the history of research on Opabinia, rather than offering any new information.  I wonder if there is anything published more recently.
       After 20 years, I still believe that Opabinia is likely a synonym of Anomalocaris--- either a larval form of Anomalocaris or possibly a dwarf male of Anomalocaris.  I think my larval hypothesis is most likely, since the largest Opabinia is around the same size as the smallest Anomalocaris (about 3 inches).  During metamorphosis, the long "proboscis" of Opabinia would have simply split into the two frontal appendages of Anomalocaris.  It may still sound far-fetched, but worth considering.
                             ---------Ken Kinman
Weblink to Briggs 2015 artucke:    https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2014.0313