Description

Fedomia mikhaili (Serezhnikova 2007)

Precambrian

Penega Formation

East Angelsk, White Sea, Russia.

16mm x 5mm early sponge on 88mm slab.

Fedomia is a genus of early animal that some paleontologists have identified as a primitive sponge while others say it’s sponge-like.  It bears spicules like a sponge so we’re calling it that.  Fedomia is known only from the Precambrian of the White Sea, Russia.

Paleontologists consider sponges to be among the oldest groups of modern animals.  They add that they must have existed in Precambrian time because Cambrian sponges already have a biomineralized skeleton much like modern forms.