First non-destructive internal imaging of Rangea, an icon of complex Ediacaran life

摘要

Highlights ? MicroCT of a unique ironstone specimen of Rangea reveals internal structures. ? Boundaries between individual structural units show three orders of complexity. ? An axial core of a distinctly different texture and density is present. ? Lack of distortion could indicate Rangea had a semi-rigid skeleton during life. Abstract The origins of multicellular life have remained enigmatic due to the paucity of high-quality, three-dimensionally preserved