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	Amphioxus (lancelet) Amphioxus (lancelet) (after )
	Amphioxus (amphi = “both”, oxy = “sharp”), i.e., pointed on both ends.    Lancelets are chordates (phylum Chordata) in the subphylum Cephalochordata (`head-chordates`). This includes present day amphioxus (lancelets), and Cambrian fossils including Pikaea from the Burgess Shale in British Columbia and Yunnanozoan from Yunnan province, China.     Lancelets are slender, eel-like filter feeders. They appear pointed at both ends, giving rise to the name amphioxus.  The lancelet has a series of muscle segments called myomeres located both sides of the notochord, also found in the Cambrian chordates such as Yunnanazoon and Pikaea.  Their distinct, funnel-like mouth is surrounded by oral cirri or tentacles, somewhat like those found on fossil chordates such as Pikaia.                 cf Conway Morris on Pikaea.
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