Distribution. Charnia masoni was first described from the Maplewell Group in Charnwood Forest in England and subsequently was found in Ediacara Hills in Australia, Siberia and White Sea area in Russia and Precambrian deposits in Newfoundland, Canada. It lived around 570-550 million years ago.

How long did Charnia live?

Charnia wardi, later discovered in 1978 in southeast Newfoundland, was first described in 2003. This is the longest surviving Ediacaran age fossil, lasting over 2 million years.

How did Charnia survive?

Some think it survived by filter feeding or directly absorbing nutrients. The growth and development of the Ediacara biota is also important. It was used to discredit the sea pen hypothesis. In contrast to the sea pens (that grow by new buds at the base), Charnia grew by new buds at the apex.