A Hydrodynamic Approach to Better Understanding the Palaeobiology of the Ediacaran Rangeomorph Fractofusus Misrai

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 7-8 p.m.

Johnson Geo Centre

Public Talk: Dani Pérez Pinedo

Fossils from the deep-sea Ediacaran biotas of Newfoundland are among the oldest architecturally complex soft-bodied macroorganisms on Earth. Even though these enigmatic organisms are thought to have built simple ecosystems, their feeding strategies remain debated, including suspension feeding and osmotrophy. The Ediacaran fossil Fractofusus misrai belongs to the clade Rangeomorpha, is the most common fossil on the iconic E Surface at Mistaken Point, and has recently been documented from a new fossiliferous surface at Capelin Gulch near Melrose in the Catalina Dome. Fractofusus specimens on this surface show preferential orientations, where sedimentological paleocurrent indicators can be used to confidently infer the current direction. By using computational fluid dynamics and highly detailed morphological reconstructions we aim to shed light on their feeding strategies, potential current-related mechanical damage, and their role as ecosystem engineers.

Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Presented by Johnson Geo Centre

Event Listing 2023-09-19 19:00:00 2023-09-19 20:00:00 America/St_Johns A Hydrodynamic Approach to Better Understanding the Palaeobiology of the Ediacaran Rangeomorph Fractofusus Misrai Public Talk: Dani Pérez Pinedo Fossils from the deep-sea Ediacaran biotas of Newfoundland are among the oldest architecturally complex soft-bodied macroorganisms on Earth. Even though these enigmatic organisms are thought to have built simple ecosystems, their feeding strategies remain debated, including suspension feeding and osmotrophy. The Ediacaran fossil Fractofusus misrai belongs to the clade Rangeomorpha, is the most common fossil on the iconic E Surface at Mistaken Point, and has recently been documented from a new fossiliferous surface at Capelin Gulch near Melrose in the Catalina Dome. Fractofusus specimens on this surface show preferential orientations, where sedimentological paleocurrent indicators can be used to confidently infer the current direction. By using computational fluid dynamics and highly detailed morphological reconstructions we aim to shed light on their feeding strategies, potential current-related mechanical damage, and their role as ecosystem engineers. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Johnson Geo Centre Johnson Geo Centre