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Extinct algae genus From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sinocylindra is an extinct genus of macroalgae that existed between the Ediacaran and Middle Cambrian periods. It is a part of the Chengjiang biota in the Maotianshan Shales in Yunnan, China. Only two species, S. yunnanensis and S. linearis, are described.
| Sinocylindra Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| |
| Fossilized specimen of S. yunnanensis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Clade: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Genus: | †Sinocylindra Chen and Erdtmann, 1991 |
Sinocylindra yunnanensis was a cylindrical macroalgae 0.2-0.35 mm wide, that could reach up to 20-40 mm long.[1] Its surface is smooth, and it was likely flexible, as specimens have been found coiled and curved.[2][3] It was previously thought by some that S. yunnanensis might be a prokaryotic species in the Siphonophycus genus,[4] however due to elements of its morphology such as the size and length of the species, it was determined to most likely be a eukaryotic algae of a previously unknown genus.[1] S. yunnanensis lived roughly between 635-516 million years ago.[5]
Sinocylindra linearis, like yunnanensis, was cylindrical in shape, with a diameter ranging from 0.3-2.0mm, and a length of 5.0-50 mm.[2] It was probably firmer and less flexible than yunnanensis as some specimens found were almost completely straight.[2]
Sinocylindra yunnanensis was first described in 1991, found in the Upper Doushantuo shales at Chengjiang, in the Chinese province of Yunnan.[1] Since its discovery, a number of fossils across Southern China have been found, as well as a specimen in the Drumian Marjum formation in Utah, United States.[6]
Sinocylindra linearis was described by researchers in 2017 after being found in the Ediacaran Miaohe member in southern China,[7] where one hundred and twenty-eight specimens were found.[2] The name linearis was given due to the straight, rigid nature of the species.
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