Mistaken Point - Fossil Ecosystems of North America: A Guide to the Sites and their Extraordinary Biotas - page 22

Charniodiscus
This genus was originally described, also
from England by Ford, as a discoidal form,
but later discoveries showed that it was the
holdfast of a Charnia -like frond, but which
differed sufficiently in its branching pattern
to be regarded as a distinct genus (Jenkins
and Gehling, 1978). Some of those from
Mistaken Point are similar to the well-
known Charniodiscus arboreus from South
Australia; like Charnia , it is regarded as a
pennatulacean cnidarian ( 23 ).

Bradgatia
This is a bush-shaped form and varies from
oval (4-12 cm [1.5-5 in] long) with the
confluence of branching at one end, to
circular (10-16 cm [4-6 in] diameter)
with branching originating from within
the structure ( 24 ). It is unclear whether it
is a body fossil or a trace fossil.

Fractofusus
The most common member of the Mistaken
Point Assemblage (up to 1000 individuals

23

23 Four specimens of the
frond-like Charniodiscuswith
circular holdfasts, with a
specimen of Charnia masoni
to the right of the scale bar.
From the Mistaken Point
Formation at Mistaken Point.
Scale bar is in cm and inches.

24

24 The bush-shaped fossil
Bradgatiafrom the Mistaken
Point Formation at Mistaken
Point. Coin 30 mm 1.2 in in
diameter.