Wutubus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wutubus annularis is a large tubular fossil from the Late Ediacaran of China and USA, between 551 - 541 Ma. It is the only species in the genus Wutubus.
Chen et al., 2014
| Wutubus Temporal range: Ediacaran | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | †Wutubus Chen et al., 2014 |
| Species: | †W. annularis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Wutubus annularis Chen et al., 2014 | |
Discovery and name
The first described specimens of Wutubus annularis were found in the Shibantan Member of the Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China, which dates to 551-541 Mya during the late Ediacaran.[1] Specimens have since been reported in late Ediacaran rocks of the Deep Spring Formation at Mount Dunfee, Nevada (USA).[2]
The genus name Wutubus is derived from the name of the fossil locality near the village of Wuhe (Wu River) and from the Latin word tubus, to mean tube. The species epithet annularis is derived directly from the Latin word, annularis, with reference to the transverse annulae on the tube.[1]
Description
Wutubus annularis is an annulated (ringed) tubular organism 20–180 mm (0.8–7.1 in) in length and 3–32 mm (0.1–1.3 in) in width. It is mostly cylindrical, with a conical end that tapers to an apex. It has been reconstructed as a benthic tubular organism living on the sediment surface, tethered to the substrate by its apex.[1]