Octoradiate Spiral Organisms in the Ediacaran of South China

Abstract

Abstract: Shales of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation of South China contain a new disc‐shaped macrofossil, Eoandromeda octobrachiata , characterized by eight spiral arms that were probably housed within an outer membrane. Although the presence of eight radiating structures entails a resemblance to cnidarian octocorals as well as to ctenophores, direct homologies with these extant groups are unlikely. Instead we bring attention to the helicospiral morphology of newly reported embryos from the Doushantuo Formation, suggesting that the long‐sought adults of the Ediacaran embryonic metazoans have finally been found.