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Competition in a Precambrian world: palaeoecology of Ediacaran fronds
Author(s) -
Laflamme Marc,
Narbonne Guy M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geology today
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.188
H-Index - 17
eISSN - 1365-2451
pISSN - 0266-6979
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2451.2008.00685.x
Subject(s) - frond , precambrian , paleoecology , water column , competition (biology) , geology , biota , nutrient , ecology , paleontology , biology , oceanography
Leaf‐shaped Ediacaran fronds are among the most widespread and readily recognized members of the terminal Neoproterozoic Ediacara Biota. Ediacaran fronds gathered nutrients from the water column through filter feeding or direct nutrient absorption, resulting in the onset of modern‐style ecological competition complete with denizens occupying distinct tiers in the water column. It is believed that the frond shape most likely represents a common need to elevate a feeding apparatus higher in the water‐column to feed from the upper (> 20 cm) tiers. Therefore, the frond shape represents a shared ecology, not ancestry.