Cochleatina

Cochleatina Temporal range: Ediacaran – Fortunian [1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Cochleatina canilovica
Scientific classification
(unranked):	incertae sedis
Genus:	† Cochleatina Aseeva, 1974

Cochleatina is an organic-walled microfossil ('Small Carbonaceous Fossil') known from the late Ediacaran period and early Cambrian Fortunian Stage. ^[1] Cochleatina comprises a complex spiral ribbon structure, with a serrated outer margin. These spirals are frequently found embedded in an organic sheet. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Cochleatina is a rare example of a fossil taxon known to span the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary. ^[1]

Affinity

Cochleatina's biological affinity is unknown. It has been variously regarded as the fossil remains of an animal, an algae, or a protist. ^[1]

References

1. Slater, Ben J.; Harvey, Thomas H. P.; Bekker, Andrey; Butterfield, Nicholas J. (2020). "Cochleatina: an enigmatic Ediacaran–Cambrian survivor among small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs)". Palaeontology. 63 (5): 733–752. Bibcode:2020Palgy..63..733S. doi: 10.1111/pala.12484 . ISSN   1475-4983.
2. "New information on the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition in the Vestertana Group, Finnmark, northern Norway, from trace fossils and organic-walled microfossils" (PDF). Norwegian Journal of Geology. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
3. Organic-walled microfossils from the Ediacaran-Cambrian Global Boundary Stratotype Section, Chapel Island and Random formations, Newfoundland, Canada (PDF).