Ediacaran Period

An age of diversifying complex life

The Ediacaran is the third and final period of the Neoproterozoic Era, occurring after the Cryogenian, and before the Phanerozoic Eon (Paleozoic).

Geologic Age

Subdivisions

What happens during this time?

Geological

Biological

Prokaryotic

Fungi

Algae

Fauna

Diversification of metazoans

Above: Fungus-like fossils from South China (Gan et al. 2021)

Above: Reconstruction of an Ediacaran marine environment showing sea fans, jelly fish, and early chordate

Above: Reconstruction of the green alga, Protocodium sinense

Right: Scanning electron micrographs of Protocodium showing 3D structure

Additional Resources