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Charnia
Taxonomy
Charnia was named by Ford (1958) [DIAGNOSIS: "Frond-like organisms generally 10-25 cms. in length, composed of segmented lobes usually in contact laterally, diverging alternately on either side of a sinuous axial line, the whole tapering to a pointed apex at one end and a blunt stalk at the other".]. Its type is Charnia masoni.
It was assigned to Charniidae by Laflamme et al. (2007) and Hofmann et al. (2008); and to Rangeomorpha by Sepkoski (2002) and Brasier et al. (2012).
It was assigned to Charniidae by Laflamme et al. (2007) and Hofmann et al. (2008); and to Rangeomorpha by Sepkoski (2002) and Brasier et al. (2012).
Species
Synonymy list
| Year | Name and author |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Charnia Ford |
| 2002 | Charnia Sepkoski |
| 2007 | Charnia Laflamme et al. |
| 2008 | Charnia Hofmann et al. p. 16 |
| 2012 | Charnia Brasier et al. p. 1121 |
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If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.
G. †Charnia Ford 1958
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†Charnia grandis Glaessner and Wade 1966
†Charnia masoni Ford 1958
†Charnia siberica Sokolov 1972
Diagnosis
| Reference | Diagnosis | |
|---|---|---|
| M. Laflamme et al. 2007 | Parallel-sided to ovate, distally and proximally tapering frond composed of multiple, sigmoidal to rectangular primary branches
alternating along a central stalk, overlapping adjacent primary branches and typically crossing over the central midline forming a zigzagging central axis. Primary branches composed of multiple secondary modular elements arranged acutely to almost perpendicularly to the primary branches. Proximal tapering of frond lacks a distinct stem. Surface expression of basal disc commonly small or missing. | |
| M. D. Brasier et al. 2012 | Frond unipolar, comprising two rows of primary branches arranged alternately along a tightly furled central axis, forming a zig-zag suture (Figs 4A–B and 8D). First- order branches typically show proximal inflation, whereas second-order branches show moderate-to-medial inflation. All first to third-order branches are aligned in mark- edly subparallel series, with furled margins, having rangeomorph elements that are rotated and undisplayed. A basal disc is sometimes preserved. |