Article: Hydrozoa and Scyphozoa and other medusoids from the Precambrian Ediacara fauna, South Australia
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume:
15
Part:
2
Publication Date:
June
1972
Page(s):
197
–
225
Author(s):
Mary Wade
Abstract
Eoporpita medusa gen. et sp. nov., is a chondrophore with annular float chambers. Simple dactylo-zooids and details of its gonozooids differentiate it from modern Porpitidae but its affinities are closest to these. The enigmatic group Cyclomedusa Sprigg has characters in common with Eoporpita but typically lacks a float. They could represent a form close to the hydrozoan root stock from which chondrophores arose but no certainly-assignable oral side is known. Two species of Scyphozoa are recognized from positive composite moulds including internal structures. Brachina delicata gen. et sp. nov. is radial and annular in structure and Kimberella quadrata (Glaessner and Wade), new name, is tetramerous radial. Ediacaria flindersi Sprigg and Rugoconites Glaessner and Wade are restored but it is still not certain what their structures mean in terms of coelenterate history.