# Curviacus

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{{Short description|Ediacaran fossil}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2024}}
{{Speciesbox
| fossil_range = Late [Ediacaran](/source/Ediacaran)<br />~{{fossil range|551|541}}
| genus = Curviacus 
| parent_authority = Shen et al., 2017
| species = ediacaranus
| authority = Shen et al., 2017
| display_parents = 3
}}
'''''Curviacus''''' is a [genus](/source/genus) of [Ediacaran](/source/Ediacaran) organism of [uncertain lineage](/source/incertae_sedis) that displays a modular body plan consisting of [crescent](/source/crescent)-shaped chambers. It contains a single [species](/source/species), '''''Curviacus ediacaranus'''''.

== Etymology ==
The genus name ''Curviacus'' references the shape of the crescent chambers; coming from [Latin](/source/Latin) ''curvus'' meaning curved and ''acus'' meaning needle.<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017">{{cite journal |author1=Shen, B. |author2=Xiao, S. |author3=Zhou, C. |author4=Dong, L. |author5=Chang, J. |author6=Chen, Z. |year=2017 |title=A new modular palaeopascichnid fossil ''Curviacus ediacaranus'' new genus and species from the Ediacaran Dengying Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area of South China |journal=Geological Magazine |volume=154 |issue=6 |pages=1257–1268 |doi=10.1017/S001675681700036X|bibcode=2017GeoM..154.1257S |s2cid=131980880 }}</ref>

== Description ==
These fossils occur on [bituminous limestone](/source/bituminous_limestone) on the [bedding surface](/source/bedding_surface). The fossilized specimen has calcispar walls with the inner chambers filled with [micrite](/source/micrite).<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" /> The walls are raised because the calcispar does not erode as easily. ''C. ediacaranus'' is a slightly oblong [macrofossil](/source/macrofossil) that ranges from 5–14&nbsp;cm in length. It is characterized by its curved or crescent-shaped chambers that occur arranged in a series with the chambers sharing walls. All of the chambers are convex in the same direction. Each chamber is narrow ranging ~1-3mm in width. Chamber length can be consistent or inconsistent. Inconsistencies can give a false impression of branching.<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" /> Additionally, the walls of the chambers sometimes converge laterally.

==Phylogeny== 
The [phylogeny](/source/Phylogenetics) of this [fossil](/source/fossil) is not yet known. Some scientists believe the genus to be a [coralline algal](/source/Coralline_algae) or [fungal](/source/Fungus) stem group.<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" />

== Occurrence ==
''C. ediacaranus'' is from the late Ediacaran. The fossil ''C. ediacaranus'' has been found in the [Shibantan Member](/source/Shibantan_Member) of the [Dengying Formation](/source/Dengying_Formation).<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" /> The Shibantan Member is the [bituminous](/source/Bitumen) limestone section of the formation.<ref name="ZhouXiao2006">{{cite journal |last1=Zhou |first1=Chuanming |last2=Xiao |first2=Shuhai |date=2006 |title=Ediacaran .δ13C chemostratigraphy of South China |journal=Chemical Geology |volume=237 |issue=1–2 |pages=89–108 |doi=10.1016/j.chemgeo.2006.06.021}}</ref> It is unusual for [Ediacaran](/source/Ediacaran) [biota](/source/Biota_(biology)) to be preserved in limestone. As such, ''C. ediacaranus'' is the only ''Palaeopascichnus'' fossil to be reported from [carbonate rock](/source/carbonate_rock) rather than siliclastic rock.<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" /> This special type of fossilization allows for [3-dimensional](/source/3-dimensional) analysis.<ref name="Bing_Shen_2017" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q116846108|from2=Q130250861}}

{{Improve categories|date=October 2024}}

Category:Ediacaran life
Category:Incertae sedis

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Curviacus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curviacus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curviacus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.