Nilpenia

Nilpenia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia (?)
Genus: Nilpenia
Droser et al., 2014
Species:
N. rossi
Binomial name
Nilpenia rossi
Droser et al., 2014

Nilpenia rossi is an Ediacaran sediment feeder,[1] known from deposits at Nilpena Ediacara National Park in South Australia, and from Podolia, Ukraine.[2] With a diameter ranging up to 30 cm, it is considered to represent the largest (by area) Ediacaran organism.[3]

Morphology

Nilpenia fossils consist of two zones, a complex central area surrounded by radiating, branching groove structures. Larger specimens have densely packed grooves. They are interpreted to have uniquely lived millimeters above the actual sediment, opposed to views of how other organisms were mat-encrusters, which interacted within microbial mats on the seafloor.

History

Nilpenia was first discovered in 2013 at the Ediacara Member of the Rawnsley Quartzite, Flinders Ranges in South Australia.

See also

References

  1. ^ Mary L. Droser; James G. Gehling; Mary E. Dzaugis; Martin J. Kennedy; Dennis Rice; Michael F. Allen (2014). "A New Ediacaran Fossil with a Novel Sediment Displacive Life Habit". Journal of Paleontology. 88 (1): 145–151. Bibcode:2014JPal...88..145D. doi:10.1666/12-158. S2CID 59608504.
  2. ^ V.A. Nesterovsky; A.I. Martyshyn; A.M. Chupryna (2018). "New biocenosis model of Vendian (Ediacaran) sedimentation basin of Podilia (Ukraine)". Journal of Geology, Geography, and Geoecology. 27 (1): 95–107. doi:10.15421/111835.
  3. ^ Vermeij, Geerat J. (2016). Raia, Pasquale (ed.). "Gigantism and its implications for the history of life". PLOS ONE. 11 (1) e0146092. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1146092V. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0146092. PMC 4714876. PMID 26771527.