Spriggina is a small worm-like fossil from the Ediacaran period (550 mya), named after Regg Sprigg who first discovered them in the Ediacara Hills of southern Australia (Wikipedia 2009). Spriggina was first described as a segmented worm (Annelid); however, it is currently considered to be more closely related to the arthropods (Smith 2005). Spriggina was possibly predatory, and so may be a major factor in initiating the Cambrian transition and the evolution of animals with hard parts (Wikipedia 2009). Spriggina are curved, un-fused, segmented organisms approximately three centimeters long. The first of the many segments form the “head”, which is rounded and contains two indentions on the upper surface, which were probably eyes (Wikipedia 2009). Two rows of tough, interlocking plates cover the ventral portion of the organism; the dorsal portion is only covered by one row (AbsoluteAstronomy 2009). Most specimens contained an antenna and a circular mouth; however, the types of appendatges it may have had is still unknown (Smith 2005). Because of its preservation in the lower surface of the fossiliferous bed, it is believed that Spriggina had a “tough, though uncalcified, body" (Wikipedia 2009).

Page by Matt Medlin

Smith, D. 2005. Vendian Animals: Spriggina. University of california Museum of Paleonotology.

Wikipedia. 2009. Spriggina.