Richteria

Richteria is a genus of extinct arthropods belonging to the Naraoiidae family, part of the broader group known as nectopleurids. These fossils are found in Cambrian-aged Burgess Shale-type deposits. Richteria are characterized by their flattened, oval-shaped bodies divided into two sections: a broad, shield-like cephalic region and a multi-segmented trunk. Distinctive features include the presence of small, spine-like projections along the lateral margins of the trunk segments and a smooth, semi-oval shaped cephalic shield. Like other Naraoiids, Richteria lacked any evidence of eyes or other specialized sensory structures, and the gut trace is often visible through the exoskeleton. Their lifestyle is presumed to be benthic, likely scavenging or feeding on detritus along the seafloor.