Hapsidophyllas
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Etymology
The generic name roughly translates to 'A network of leaves', from the Greek words hapsis, to mean 'network' or 'mesh', and phyllon, to mean 'leaves'.
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Description
The Hapsidophyllas flexibilis holotype is 110 mm long and 4 mm wide. It is composed of multibranched leaflets radiating from a single elongate basal rod. The leaflets gradually taper toward their distal ends and overlap one another. This leaf shape points towards a suspension feeding behavior. The overlapping branches of Hapsidophyllas are architecturally similar to the renowned Ediacaran frond Charnia. However, a significant difference between the two is that the primary branches of Charnia are connected to a central tube that is absent or internal, while hapsidophyllid leaflets are attached to a visible stalk.
Paleoecology
Sedimentary studies show that Mistaken Point organisms, including Hapsidophyllas, lived on the deep seafloor below the photic zone. Because Mistaken Point organisms were preserved under deposit layers of volcanic ash, their proximity to the seafloor can be estimated based on the quality of their preservation. Due to its excellent preservation, it is estimated that the Hapsidophyllas flexibilis laid semi-prone to the seafloor in its life.