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Ediacaran developmental biology.

Frances S Dunn1,2, Alexander G Liu1, Philip C J Donoghue1

  • 1School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, U.K.

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|November 7, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Early Ediacaran fossils like Charnia and Dickinsonia show developmental patterns suggesting they were animals. This study analyzes their ontogeny, supporting a metazoan affinity for rangeomorphs and dickinsoniomorphs.

Keywords:
BilateriaEdiacaranEumetazoaMetazoadevelopmentevolution

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Ediacaran System rocks (635-541 Ma) contain fossils of early complex macroscopic organisms.
  • Many Ediacaran taxa are interpreted as animals, but their unusual morphology complicates phylogenetic placement.
  • Previous studies focused on morphology, neglecting developmental phases (ontogeny) for phylogenetic insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ontogeny of iconic Ediacaran taxa: Charnia masoni, Dickinsonia costata, and Pteridinium simplex.
  • To re-evaluate the phylogenetic position of Ediacaran morphogroups (rangeomorphs, dickinsoniomorphs, erniettomorphs) using ontogenetic data.
  • To determine the biological affinities of these early complex life forms.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of ontogenetic data for Charnia masoni, Dickinsonia costata, and Pteridinium simplex.
  • Integration of new ontogenetic insights with existing morphological studies.
  • Phylogenetic re-evaluation of rangeomorphs, dickinsoniomorphs, and erniettomorphs based on developmental evidence.

Main Results:

  • New ontogenetic data and insights were generated for key Ediacaran taxa.
  • Analysis of developmental phases provided crucial information for phylogenetic interpretation.
  • The study found evidence supporting metazoan affinities for rangeomorphs and dickinsoniomorphs.

Conclusions:

  • Ontogenetic analysis offers a powerful tool for deciphering Ediacaran life.
  • Rangeomorphs and dickinsoniomorphs, represented by Charnia and Dickinsonia respectively, are likely early animals (Metazoa).
  • This finding has implications for understanding the evolution of the metazoan body plan and early animal diversification.