Dickinsonia - Morphology

Morphology

The organisms range from 4 millimetres to 1.4 metres in length, and are ovoid in outline. They consist of a number of rib-like segments emerging from a central groove or ridge; these ribs interdigitate, producing a glide symmetry.

The segments of Dickinsonia have been described as "pneus", chambers filled with a liquid at higher than ambient pressure, analogous to a quilted air mattress. Features in a few specimens have been interpreted as evidence of longitudinal muscle fibers, and a medial gut, but this interpretation has not reached acceptance.

The innards of Dickinsonia are thought to contain spindle-like fibres 0.5–1 mm in diameter.

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