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Lower Cambrian vendobionts from China and early diploblast evolution
D-G Shu1, S Conway Morris, J Han
1Early Life Institute and Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China. elidgshu@nwu.edu.cn
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 6, 2006
Summary
A newly discovered Lower Cambrian fossil, Stromatoveris, resembles Ediacaran vendobionts and may represent an early ctenophore ancestor. This finding offers insights into early metazoan evolution and the origins of comb jellies.
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Early Metazoan Phylogeny
Background:
- Ediacaran biota preceded the Cambrian explosion, influencing metazoan radiation.
- The evolutionary relationships of Ediacaran organisms remain challenging to integrate with early metazoan phylogeny.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel fossil, Stromatoveris psygmoglena sp. nov., from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte.
- To investigate the phylogenetic implications of Stromatoveris, particularly its potential relationship to Ediacaran vendobionts and early ctenophores.
Main Methods:
- Detailed morphological analysis of the fossil Stromatoveris psygmoglena.
- Comparative analysis with Ediacaran vendobionts and early metazoan fossils.
- Phylogenetic interpretation based on anatomical features, including potential comb row precursors.
Main Results:
- Stromatoveris exhibits a frond-like morphology strikingly similar to Ediacaran vendobionts.
- Exquisite preservation reveals closely spaced, possibly ciliated branches.
- These branches suggest precursors to the diagnostic comb rows of ctenophores.
Conclusions:
- Stromatoveris provides a potential link between Ediacaran and Cambrian fauna.
- The fossil has significant implications for understanding the early evolution of ctenophores (comb jellies).
- It suggests that some diploblasts independently evolved a frondose habit during early metazoan diversification.
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