Algae are predominant, including a green alga, Yuknessia , also known from the Canadian Burgess Shale. The largest group of invertebrates are the arthropods, which include at least two genera shared with the Burgess Shale. The enigmatic animal, Anomalocaris , is also shared with the Burgess Shale. The next largest group is the sponges, with 25 or more species known. In addition, the fauna includes medusiforms, sea anemones, priapulid worms, brachiopods, and other types.
Bivalved arthropods are especially common.
Some are tiny, and others are larger. Numerous trilobites and smaller numbers of other groups are also present. The authors comment on the surprising similarities between the Chengjiang and Burgess Shale faunas. The close similarity of the two groups is difficult to reconcile with the great difference in their supposed ages. Bernini reports that Lower Devonian mites are so similar to modern species that they give no clue to the origins of the group.