Ediacaran Period

Part of the Neoproterozoic Era

Cryogenian Period - Ediacaran Period - Cambrian Period

The Ediacaran Period is the second, and final, period of the Neoproterozoic Era, and the sixth, and final, period of the Proterozoic Eon. The Ediacaran begins with the conclusion of the Marinoan glaciation and ends with the End-Ediacaran Extinction event. The formation of the supercontinent of Pannotia was completed at around 600 MYA, but it would break up at around 550 MYA, before the period itself would come to a close. Animal life, known as Ediacaran biota in this period, would become more widespread - especially after the Avalon Explosion from around 575 MYA - with over one hundred genera having been described from the Ediacaran. Unverified reports of tracks, reminiscent of those of arthropods or perhaps legged worms have been found. Species include the disk-like Arkurua (tentatively placed in the Echinodermata but also being incertae sedis), the frond-like Charnia, the ovaloid Dickinosonia (which may be an animal, a fungus, or a member of an extinct kingdom), the circular Ediacaria, the ovaloidMarywadea, the ovaloid Onega, Pteridinium, and Yorgia (placed in the extinct phylum Proarticulata).

The Ediacaran is subdivided into two epochs: the Early Ediacaran and the Late Ediacaran.

Ediacaran Timescale:

Ediacaran Period - 635-541 MYA

-Early Ediacaran Epoch - 635-584 MYA

-Late Ediacaran Epoch - 584-541 MYA

--Ediacaran Age 2 - 584-560 MYA

--Ediacaran Age 3 - 560-550 MYA

--Ediacaran Age 4 - 550-541 MYA