Rangeomorphs

E782940

Rangeomorphs are an extinct group of frond-like Ediacaran organisms characterized by highly branched, fractal body forms that represent some of the earliest complex multicellular life on Earth.

All labels observed (2)

Label Occurrences
Rangeomorpha 2
Rangeomorphs canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Ediacaran biota
extinct organism group
frond-like organism
multicellular life form
associatedEon Neoproterozoic Eon
linked to: Neoproterozoic Era
associatedSystem Ediacaran System
linked to: Ediacaran Period
bodyPlan modular branching units
self-similar branching pattern
bodyTissue soft-bodied
complexity among earliest complex multicellular organisms
componentTaxa Beothukis
Bradgatia
Charniodiscus
Fractofusus
Rangea
discoveryContext Ediacaran fossil assemblages
distinctiveFeature self-similar branching modules called rangeomorph units
ecologicalRole benthic organisms
extinctionStatus extinct
feedingMode osmotrophy hypothesis
suspension feeding hypothesis
firstAppearance Ediacaran Period
fossilRecord soft-bodied impressions
geologicalAge approximately 575–541 million years ago
growthPattern fractal-like iterative branching
habitat deep-water settings
marine environment
lifestyle sessile
morphology fractal body organization
frond-like body
highly branched structure
notableLocality Charnwood Forest, England
Ediacara Hills, South Australia
Mistaken Point, Newfoundland, Canada
oxygenRequirementHypothesis thrived in low-oxygen deep-marine settings
phylogeneticPosition alternatively separate extinct clade
possibly stem-group animals
preservation Ediacara-type fossil preservation
reproductionHypothesis asexual propagation by stolons or fragmentation
researchSignificance key to understanding early evolution of complex life
scientificStudy paleontology
sizeRange centimeters to over one meter in length
substrateAttachment anchored to seafloor
symmetry bilateral-like symmetry in some taxa
radial symmetry
taxonomicAffinity uncertain
temporalRange Ediacaran Period

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Fractofusus relatedTo Rangeomorphs
Rangea taxonomicGroup Rangeomorpha
linked to: Rangeomorphs
Petalonamae relatedTo Rangeomorpha
linked to: Rangeomorphs