HIEMALORA STELLARIS FROM THE EDIACARAN DENGYING FORMATION IN THE YANGTZE GORGES AREA,HUBEI PROVINCE:AFFINITY AND TAPHONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Abstract:
Hiemalora stellaris occurs abundantly in the Shibantan biota discovered from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area, Hubei Province. H. stellaris consists of a central disc and surrounding tentacle-like structure, which shows a positive correlation with the diameter of central discs. One specimen, discovered from the bottom of the Shibantan Member of the Dengying Formation, shows that a H. stellaris is attached to a frond-type structure. The ovate frond has a prominent horn-like spiny termination on the top, and shows internal primary and secondary branches, resembling those of Charniodiscus spinosus. The fossil can be compared with Primocandelabrum hiemaloranum that was found in Newfoundland area of Canada, indicating that H. stellaris may represent a holdfast which can be attached to different kinds of fronds. Taphonomic analysis suggests that H. stellaris may live in the sediments below the microbial mats before it is buried and preserved as a mold. Meanwhile, the stem and frond live in water column before they are buried on the surface of the microbial mats and preserved as an impression.
