Takakkawia

Takakkawia Temporal range: Chengjiang to Middle Cambrian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Reconstruction of Takakkawia lineata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Porifera
Stem group:	Demospongiae
Genus:	†Takakkawia Walcott, 1920
Species
Takakkawia lineata Walcott, 1920 Takakkawia sp. nov. Chen et al. 1996

Takakkawia is a genus of sponge known from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale that reached around 4 cm in height. Its structure comprises four columns of multi-rayed, organic spicules (perhaps originally calcareous or siliceous) that align to form flanges. The spicules form blade-like structures, ornamented with concentric rings.

It was named by Walcott after the Takakkaw falls which mark the start of the trail to Fossil Ridge. 1377 specimens of Takakkawia are known from the Greater Phyllopod bed, where they comprise 2.62% of the community.