Story: Corals, anemones and jellyfish

Fossil conulariid

Fossil conulariid

Distinctive fossils like this conulariid have been found in 200–205 million-year-old rocks from Southland. The identity of this extinct group of animals is unknown, but many scientists consider that they represent a polyp stage of ancient staurozoan jellyfish. About 5 centimetres high, the fossil has the shape of an elongated pyramid. The alternate rows of markings on the surface are a feature of conulariids.

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Photograph by Hamish Campbell

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How to cite this page:

Dennis Gordon, 'Corals, anemones and jellyfish - Jellyfish', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4739/fossil-conulariid (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Dennis Gordon, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 26 Sep 2016