Description

Kerygmachela kierkegaardi is a lobopodian with gills discovered in the Cambrian period at the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte in northern Greenland. Its anatomical characteristics strongly suggest its close kinship with radiodonts (anomalocaridids) and euarthropods, in line with its relative, Pambdelurion whittingtoni. The genus name "Kerygmachela" originates from the Greek words "Kerygma" (proclamation) and "Chela" (claw), highlighting its eye-catching frontal appendages.

Kerygmachela is believed to share a connection with the larger Anomalocaris, leading to its classification within the Anomalocarididae family. The species name, K. kierkegaardi, is a tribute to the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.

Kerygmachela displayed eleven pairs of lateral lobes, which extended from its main body and likely aided in swimming. Despite not being an exceptionally swift swimmer, Kerygmachela likely possessed enough speed to capture its preferred prey. Similar to the aforementioned Anomalocaris, Kerygmachela featured two frontal limbs, although these limbs curved outward to create a substantial pincer-like structure, rather than extending downward. These limbs also sported sizeable spines capable of impaling soft-bodied prey. Kerygmachela's mouth was situated between these two limbs, suggesting it consumed its prey while holding it in its limbs. While initial reconstructions of Kerygmachela depicted two rearward-pointing cerci, subsequent research has indicated the presence of only one such structure. This single cercus was comparable in length to the body itself.