Somatohelix
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Sappenfield et al., 2011
| Somatohelix Temporal range: Ediacaran, around | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Somatohelix Sappenfield et al., 2011 |
| Species: | †S. sinuosus |
| Binomial name | |
| †Somatohelix sinuosus Sappenfield et al., 2011 | |
Somatohelix is an extinct organism of uncertain affinities from the late Ediacaran of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia. Originally interpreted as a trace fossil, better preserved material was found which confirmed it was not a trace fossil. It is a monotypic genus, containing only Somatohelix sinuosus.
The original material of Somatohelix was found in the Ediacara Member of the Rawnsley Quartzite, in Nilpena Ediacara National Park South Australia in 1969 and informally listed under 'Form E' and 'Form F',[1] but with the discovery of new material, were formally described and named in 2011.[2]
The generic name Somatohelix is derived from the Greek words soma, to mean "body"; and helix, to mean "helical/coiled", referring to the overall appearance of the fossil material. The specific name sinuosus is derived directly from the Latin word sinuosus, to mean "winding/sinuous", again referring to the appearance of the fossil material.[2]
Description
Somatohelix sinuosus is a curvilinear, spiralling tubular form, growing from 50–150 mm (2.0–5.9 in) in length, and with a width of 3–7 mm (0.1–0.3 in). Where whole specimens are known, the terminal end, or base of the tubes, is typically rounded in appearance. As for the whole tube, the entire length has consistent diameter and is smooth, and was most likely soft as well, as evidenced by folds in the fossil material which formed upon felling and burial of the tubes. As for the sinuosity of the tubes themselves, have an average value of 3.06, although there are out-liners within the smaller and larger specimens, which have smaller and larger wavelengths respectively.
Accompanying 4 out of the 191 collected specimens is a circular feature at one end of the tube, with one specimen being fully attached to said tube, with the circles themselves being wrinkly in nature, and are preserved as positives and negatives.[2]