Here we reconstruct a new tubular, serially divided organism with a bilateral morphology from the Ediacaran of South Australia. The organism, Plexus ricei new genus new species, was a broadly curving tube that resided on the Ediacaran seafloor. Plexus ricei individuals range in size from 5 to 80 cm long and 5 to 20 mm wide, and are comprised of two main components: a rigid median tubular structure and a fragile outer tubular wall. Plexus ricei is preserved as an external mold on bed soles, and as a counterpart cast on bed tops in sandstones interpreted to represent deposition between storm and fairweather wave-base. The phylogenetic affinities of P. ricei are uncertain; P. ricei symmetry implies a bilaterian origin, but a lack of defined anterior and posterior ends precludes definitive assignment.
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1 June 2014
A New Enigmatic, Tubular Organism from the Ediacara Member, Rawnsley Quartzite, South Australia
Lucas V. Joel,
Mary L. Droser,
James G. Gehling
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Journal of Paleontology
Vol. 88 • No. 2
March 2014
Vol. 88 • No. 2
March 2014