How long is the branchiopod fossil record?

The branchiopod fossil record is generally considered to date back to the Devonian period, which occurred approximately 416 million to 359.2 million years ago.1

While some fossils from the earlier Cambrian period (542 million to 488.3 million years ago) have been suggested as potential branchiopods, these classifications are not generally accepted, though some Swedish Cambrian fossils show similar features. The group is understood to have originated in pre-Devonian times, as distinct orders such as Lipostraca and Spinicaudata are already clearly evident in the Devonian fossil record.2