Where does *Wiwaxia* sit phylogenetically within the Lophotrochozoa superphylum?

Likely a very early offshoot, or stem-group member, within the lineage.

The prevailing interpretation of *Wiwaxia*'s evolutionary placement positions it as an early diversification point within the Lophotrochozoa superphylum, which encompasses lineages leading to modern mollusks and annelids. Being classified as a stem-group member means it shared a common ancestor with these more successful groups but evolved along a side branch that eventually became extinct. This signifies that *Wiwaxia* experimented with a Lophotrochozoan body plan, specifically one featuring extensive dermal armor, which ultimately proved less adaptive over the long geological timescale compared to the solutions (like the mantle and foot of mollusks, or the segmentation of annelids) that persisted and diversified throughout the Phanerozoic era.