Eoporpita medusa
Wade, 1972
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Eoporpita was originally described as a member of the Hydrozoa (a group of animals related to jellyfish and corals), and placed within the Phylum Cnidaria. More recently it has been reinterpreted as a benthic organism such as a xenophophoran protist or part of a larger organism, perhaps a basal holdfast of a frond-like organism.
Described from: Flinders Ranges, South Australia White Sea, Russia Northwest territories, Canada Key references: Wade, 1972 Seilacher et al., 2003 Fedonkin et al., 2007 |
Eoporpita medusa. Photographed at the South Australian Museum, South Australia. Image: Dr Alex Liu
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Diagnosis (from Wade, 1972):
A circular or elliptical chondrophore with radial symmetry. Two series of club-shaped 'tentacles' form several outer whorls (dactylozooids) of near constant length, and several inner whorls (gonozooid). Aboral surface smooth except for very fine radial striae; with a small, low, central dome. Float delicate, with numerous narrow, annular chambers enclosing a small, circular, central chamber. Some radial creases reach from near centre to margin.
A circular or elliptical chondrophore with radial symmetry. Two series of club-shaped 'tentacles' form several outer whorls (dactylozooids) of near constant length, and several inner whorls (gonozooid). Aboral surface smooth except for very fine radial striae; with a small, low, central dome. Float delicate, with numerous narrow, annular chambers enclosing a small, circular, central chamber. Some radial creases reach from near centre to margin.
