Vendian Fossils Death Assemblage
Cyclomedusa davidi and Hiemalora stellaris

Description: This spectacular death assemblage predates the Cambrian Explosion by tens of millions of years. Many early attempts at diversity were present during this time, both here and in the Ediacara Fauna of the Flinders Ranges of Australia. Many strange forms were present, some of which still do not have any parallels in modern times. These jellyfish-like examples are one that is relatively easy to attribute to descendants alive today. The incredible soft-bodied preservation is believed to be the result of impressions made in a microbial mat contained within the sand. There is debate about the true nature of both these examples. Cyclomedusa was initially thought to be a pelagic jellyfish, but is now more likely a benthic organism much like a sea anemone.

The one below it was thought to possibly be a member of the Cnidaria by virtue of its tentacle-like structures. Given that Cyclomedsa is not found with preserved tentacles, Hiemalora is now thought to be the anchor of some larger, as yet unknown creature.